Chemical reaction closes splash pad in Villa Park

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Updated: August 5, 2011 1:21PM

An adverse chemical reaction has closed the splash pad at Heritage Center Park in Villa Park until at least Saturday.

The Oakbrook Terrace Park District shut down the pad Wednesday just before it was scheduled to open because of a reaction between the chemicals used for it, Parks and Recreation Director Laura Barron said.

“One of our employees ... started having difficulty breathing,” Barron said.

The splash pad is usually open between 1 and 6 p.m. The last day of its season is Aug. 14.

The park district is still talking with the employee, Barron said, but she was treated and released and is fine. No one else was at the splash pad at the time.

The Oakbrook Terrace Fire Protection District responded to the scene Wednesday and advised the park district to close the pad, Barron said.

The chemicals in question are all standard and would be found in any residential or commercial pool, Barron said.

“Sometimes when they come in contact with one another there is a reaction,” she said. “That’s what happened.”

The chemical reaction caused an irritating smell, and the area was contained so it could be stabilized and the chemicals removed, she said.

The park district will have the service company that works on the pad come out and replace some parts, Barron said. Depending on what the company finds, the pad could reopen Saturday.

The pad was installed at Heritage Center Park, 1S325 Ardmore Ave., in 2004, Barron said. It’s the first time this type of closure has been necessary.