The Northwest Sports Complex in House Springs has reopened following an approximately monthlong closure because of a July 4 explosion that damaged a building at the park that housed two restrooms, a concession stand and a utility room.
Tim Pigg, director of Jefferson County Department of Parks and Recreation, said the park, 4900 Byrnesville Road, reopened on Aug. 9. Portable toilets have been placed temporarily in the park to replace the restrooms destroyed in the explosion.
Two juveniles were arrested on July 19 for allegedly causing the explosion.
The names of juveniles accused of crimes typically are not released, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office would not release the juveniles’ ages or hometowns.
Pigg estimated it would cost between $100,000 and $200,000 to replace the building with a prefabricated structure.
He could not give a timeline for the construction of a new restroom facility because of delays related to the county’s insurance company.
“People were getting frustrated with us, but it takes a while to fix these things in the public sector,” he said.
Pigg said the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Department is looking at ways to improve security at the complex.
“There are a number of issues that we’re looking into at this time regarding security,” he said. “We’re reviewing and investigating security measures.”
In the meantime, Pigg said, the park will stay open to the public from dawn until dusk.
The Sports Complex is a 20-acre facility with four baseball fields, a walking trail, a skate park, a pavilion, picnic tables and restrooms.
Youth instructional soccer, T-ball, adult softball and other sports activities are held at the complex, according to the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation website.