Not so fast.

Helena officials briefly reopened the green plunge slide at the Last Chance Splash Water Park and Pool Wednesday afternoon, but closed it after several children hit their heads within an hour of operation.

Natural Structures, the Baker City, Ore.-based slide manufacturer, has claimed the slide is installed properly. The company blamed three recent incidents -- in which two boys were treated for possible concussions and a third suffered a laceration -- on users riding the slide incorrectly.

Parks and Recreation Director Amy Teegarden said four or five children ages 7 to 10 struck their heads Wednesday while riding the slide. None were injured, but they came out of the pool rubbing their heads, and Teegarden said pool staffers heard the impacts.

"They were in the correct riding position, but they hit their head," she said. "We have closed it, and I have been on the phone with our contractors, saying: 'We're holding all payments until you guys get this fixed. This is unacceptable.'

"They need to figure out a solution here, whether it's a brand new slide or something else," she added.

They company had conducted 72 test rides with users of varying ages, heights and weights, all without incident.

The company's general manager did not return two calls seeking comment Wednesday.

The city park's splash deck is operational again, but the computerized controls still aren't working, Teegarden said. The spray park is running on a manual setting -- the regular, automatic setting, which controls the motion-- and the kid-triggered function is inoperable.

Teegarden said the company that installed the spray features has worked to no avail over the past 10 days to fix the problem. The manufacturer, Montreal, Canada-based Vortex Aquatics Structures, is sending a representative out to make repairs.

The revamped pool at Memorial Park and the new spray park were part of a $2.8 million project, with the funding approved by Helena voters in 2007. Teegarden said all repair work is being performed at no additional cost to the city.

The park has so far been a success, she added. The pool is starting its second round of swim lessons. A Lion's Club swim meet this weekend will close the pool to public use, but the spray park will remain open.

Larry Kline: 447-4075 or larry.kline@helenair.com