Making a splash

Attendance figures at Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center are good news in may ways. Based on data from other water parks, Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department officials anticipated about 800 visitors a day at the water park that opened in May. But average attendance has been near 1,300 visitors a day.

While the high attendance has meant longer lines, staffing has been adjusted to keep up with the crowds. Lockers were due this week, and the computer system is being upgraded.

Which brings us to one of the top concerns when voters were asked to approve a tax increase to pay for parks and recreation upgrades, including the water park, and storm water improvements: Will the water park pay for itself? At current attendance levels, officials say Cape Splash is in the black.

Supporters of the water park worked for years to develop and promote the plan that led to the construction of the water park. Lower-than-expected construction bids allowed for more amenities to be included. By and large, the new facility is getting high marks from those who use it, as the higher-than-expected attendance figures show.

Cape Splash is a great place to beat the heat.