Commissioner Wants Closer Tabs On Big Splash

A Tulsa County Commissioner wants to keep closer tabs on Big Splash Water Park.  At least one member of the Tulsa County Fair Board wants more oversight of Big Splash in the wake of their recent safety oversight.  News On 6 anchor Jennifer Loren reports County Commissioner John Smaligo says the safety of Tulsans is at stake.

Smaligo wants to be sure the Tulsa County Fair Board is made aware of any future deficiencies at the water park.

Tulsa County Commissioner and Fair Board member John Smaligo says he was unaware Big Splash failed a state safety inspection, until The News On 6 broke the story last week.

"We had not been made aware of any of the deficiencies and I think it caught everybody by surprise," said Commissioner John Smaligo.

The owner of Big Splash, Loretta Murphy, took full responsibility for what she called an oversight.  She said she was busy with other improvements and repairs at the park and simply overlooked state-mandated repairs on the flumes.

"I would say it was just an oversight on my part. It's my fault that I didn't take it as serious as the Department of Labor did and I apologize for that," Loretta Murphy told The News On 6.

Smaligo says until last year the only agency overseeing safety at Big Splash was Big Splash itself.  But now, with new state inspections, the county contract with Big Splash needs some updating.

"You know we're a little bit reactionary in how we're dealing with this right now. But, I think that most importantly the real reason for the urgency of getting this done as quickly as possible is the safety of the public and making sure the fairgrounds is a safe family environment for everyone to enjoy," said Commissioner John Smaligo.

Smaligo says he'll make a proposal to the fair board to amend Big Splash's lease agreement with the county.  The amendment would force the owners of Big Splash to inform the board of any ordered repairs.  And then, they'd have thirty days to make them or be in breach of contract.

"We are working on it. We will have it in. I will propose it as quickly as possible and hopefully the board will see things my way and hopefully approve it," said Commissioner John Smaligo.

Smaligo hopes to have the proposal in front of the fair board by next Tuesday.

Related Story:

06/23/2008  Big Splash Owner Offers Apology