After roof collapse, Thumper Pond will rebuild its popular water park

OTTERTAIL, Minn. – Thumper Pond representatives recently announced plans to rebuild the resort's popular water park following the roof collapse last April.

Brad Stevens, Thumper Pond general manager, shared the architectural plans at the Jan. 21 meeting of the Ottertail City Council.

"It's been a long nine months and we are proud to be able to present something to you for your review and approval," Stevens told the council.

Accompanying Stevens was Stan Weiser, licensed architect with Brainerd-based Hy-Tec Construction.

"We are looking at replacing the facility that was there before," said Weiser. The lazy river, kiddie pool area, hot tub and water slide tower will all be reconstructed.

One addition to the previous layout of the water park will be two seating areas. The seating areas will extend beyond the original parameters of the water park, over ground that was formally landscaped rock.

The plans presented to the council also included replacing duct work and sprinkler lines, reinstalling toilet and shower fixtures and utilizing as much of the former plumbing work as possible. Timber trusses for the new roof will be placed 20 feet apart and will extend outside the current foundation by two feet. Weiser noted that the ceiling will be built specifically to avoid any areas where moisture could collect.

Ottertail Mayor Myron Lueders questioned Weiser about the codes that will be followed when reconstructing the water park. In addition to following the Minnesota State Building Code, Weiser said he will also have an independent testing agency come on site to inspect the facility before the water park reopens.

Stevens stressed how thankful he is that no one was hurt during last spring's roof collapse. "Health and safety is still a primary concern of ours," he mentioned, adding how Thumper Pond is "moving forward and investing the dollars to find out what happened" to cause the April collapse.

The council passed a motion to approve the zoning permit for the Thumper Pond reconstruction.

"The community will be very happy," commented Councilmember Heather Rosenthal.

"We will be too," said Stevens.

Construction on the water park is scheduled to begin soon. Stevens said he hopes to have the water park open by the end of the second quarter this year.