CLAY, Alabama -- A disc golf course is expected to open in Clay by the end of May or early June, but plans for a splash pad are still "on a wish list" for the time being.

Rain delayed the construction of the $40,000 disc golf course, which city officials had originally hoped would open at the Clay City Park in mid-April, said City Manager Ronnie Dixon.

Mayor Charles Webster said the course has 42 tee boxes and will have an amateur course and a professional course.

The course required most of the $50,000 budgeted for park projects this year, Dixon said.

Mayor Pro Tem Becky Johnson said she would like the city to revisit another park project: bringing a splash pad to the city.

"Eventually, when we're at the point where we can afford it," Johnson said.

The city last year purchased $180,000 in splash pad equipment for a park behind the city library. Citing the city's fragile financial condition, Clay sent the equipment back and paid a $25,000 restocking fee.



City officials said they are working to improve Clay's financial situation.

Under the previous administration, Clay had no budget for several years. Earlier this year, the city approved what Dixon described as a "steady balanced budget." An audit that will be presented to the council next week will show the city had a net loss of $350,000 in assets last year and the general fund will have to repay $171,000 to the capital fund budget, Dixon said.

Dixon said the splash pad is just one item on a long list of things considered for Clay parks, once funding is available, including a BMX track, walking trails and lighting for a practice field.

"We're talking about several millions of dollars of park projects on a wish list," Dixon said.