Baton Rouge, LA – April 26, 2016 – Liberty Lagoon, one of Baton Rouge’s most popular water parks is expanding and Wharton-Smith is bringing the project to life! A groundbreaking ceremony for the $3.5 million expansion was held Saturday, April 23 to signify the start of construction. More than 200 park guests, including the park’s mascot Life Guard Lily, were in attendance. Representatives from BREC, the award-winning agency that operates public park recreation facilities and programs throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, welcomed the crowd and generated excitement for the project.
The project features the Flow Rider, a simulated ocean wave ride that allows guests to have the experience of surfing or snowboarding in a self-contained water environment. It is the first and only Flow Rider in the state of Louisiana. The expansion will also include two new thrill slides, platform viewing areas, additional shade coolbrellas, concession stands, restrooms, paving decks for sunbathing, a new mechanical building with equipment, and new entrance gate.
Wharton-Smith’s Baton Rouge and Gulfport offices have partnered to make the project a success. “With the combined efforts between our two offices, we have no doubt that Wharton-Smith will provide the best quality and product to the BREC,” said Kenneth Marcell, Division Manager for Wharton-Smith’s Baton Rouge office. Additional team members working on the project include Division Manager Darryl Harris, Project Manager Stephen Sentilles, Project Manager Ryan Myers, General Superintendent Ed Sly, and Superintendents Warren Mills and John Hendrix.
Construction is expected to be complete in February 2017.
