‘We’re building something very special for our kids’: Splash pad project reaches construction phase

With gold shovels in hand and huge smiles on their faces, 8-year-olds Braylee Karaba and Connor Whalen joined major donors, service club members, city officials and contractors last Wednesday morning to break ground on a long-awaited splash pad at Hodag Park. The ceremonial dig into a pile of sand marked the official start of construction on the new play area, a major addition to the city’s flagship lakefront park.
Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed by early September.
Before the sand flew, a brief groundbreaking ceremony took place featuring remarks from Brandon Karaba, Braylee’s dad and the driving force behind the project.
Karaba explained the history of the initiative, starting with a brainstorming session among members of the local Kiwanis Club aimed at determining the group’s next contribution to the community.
“We sat down as a Kiwanis board and said, what is something that this community needs, what is something meaningful that we can do,” he explained, before listing some of the club’s previous projects including the basketball court at Central Intermediate School and improvements to Pioneer Park. From there he met with city administrator Patrick Reagan who connected him with former Kiwanis member Bill Vancos. Vancos had previously approached the city about contributing to ongoing upgrades at Hodag Park.

Initially, Karaba and the Kiwanis Club thought their project would be a playground only but Vancos had a vision for a splash pad. As Karaba explained it, Vancos shared that his favorite cure for a bad day is to take a walk by a playground so he can enjoy the sound of children playing. The president of the Rhinelander Historical Society and a longtime supporter of community causes, Vancos pledged $150,000 to bring this dream a reality.
It was a “goosebumps” moment, Karaba said.
From there, the project picked up momentum. The city supported the concept, though there were many questions to be answered. The Rhinelander Lions Club came onboard as did other community stakeholders.
Karaba began to choke up as he told the story, noting especially the role his wife, Kim, played in supporting him through the process.
“It became a we, as in this community, we’re building something very special for our kids,” he said.
Others spoke as the ceremony continued. Mike Romportl of the Lions Club said the splash pad will be a “showcase for Rhinelander,” another amenity that will add to the community’s reputation as a great place to raise kids.
Reagan concurred, noting Karaba was indefatigable in resolving any concern that arose.
“It occurs to me that in good communities, nice things happen,” he shared. “In great communities, fantastic things happen. This is a great community and this is a fantastic thing.”
“We’re very proud, very excited about this,” he added, calling Karaba “a hall of fame quarterback” for leading the initiative.
Another ceremony will be held in September when construction is complete and Karaba noted this is just the first phase of improvements to the park. An upgraded playground is next on the docket.
“We’re going to keep grinding on that,” he noted.
The city plan commission approved the site plan for the splash pad during its Aug. 5 meeting. After the panel signaled its unanimous approval, Reagan noted that water usage, as well as discharge into Boom Lake, will be monitored by the city and hours of use will be adjusted as necessary.
“We know water is a big issue in the city and this is going to use water,” he noted.