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NewsJune 15, 2012

Record temperatures and more days of operation this May could be contributing factors that helped push Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center's revenue to new records. This May has been the water park's best attended and most profitable May on record, even topping its opening season in 2010, according to numbers provided by the city government, which operates the park...

By Melissa Miller and Robert Overmann ~ Southeast Missourian
People cool off in the pools and play area Sunday, May 27, 2012 at Cape Splash in Cape Girardeau. Sunday set a record high of 95 degrees. The water park's attendance Sunday was 1,120. (Laura Simon)
People cool off in the pools and play area Sunday, May 27, 2012 at Cape Splash in Cape Girardeau. Sunday set a record high of 95 degrees. The water park's attendance Sunday was 1,120. (Laura Simon)

Record temperatures and more days of operation this May could be contributing factors that helped push Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center's revenue to new records.

Last month was the water park's best attended and brought in the most cash of any May on record, even topping its opening season in 2010, according to numbers provided by the city, which operates the park.

During the six days the water park was open in May, it brought in $40,804 and had 5,892 visitors, according to a preliminary financial report presented to the city's park board this week. The water park brought in $15,699 more than in May last year, when there were four operating days, and $10,099 more than its first year in 2010, when there were three operating days in May.

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The revenue per day was highest in 2010 at about $10,235 per day. The 2012 average was $6,801, while 2011 came in at $6,276 per day.

"The reason for increased revenue is definitely twofold: the greater admissions and the greater concessions sales that go along with that," said Amy Roth, Cape Splash's recreation supervisor.

She said Cape Splash directors meet weekly to discuss areas of improvement. Efforts are made daily to improve the speed of service. Attendance has been steadily on the rise, and Roth said she could only see it increasing throughout the summer.

Aquatics supervisor Patrick Wilson said lines can sometimes be longer, but he stressed that they have a great staff and a lot of hard workers.

Attendance this May was 5,892, compared to 3,584 in May 2011. This May's attendance topped May 2010 attendance by 1,450 visitors. The average number of attendants per day since the park's season opening May 20 is 741, Roth said.

The highest average per day for May was in 2010, when the park saw 1,481 patrons per day. This May came in higher than 2011 in patrons per day, with 982 compared to 896.

Patrons of Cape Splash agreed Thursday that the park wasn't too crowded.

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"This is our first time here, but we are planning on coming back," said Lori Wallace of Advance, Mo. She brought her two nieces and her daughter along. She said she didn't think the park was too crowded.

"We've been here twice in the last two weeks. I don't think the place is packed. The park staff keep crowds flowing pretty well," said Ty Tucker of Sikeston, Mo.

Tucker, who was eating at a picnic table with his son and daughter, attends the park regularly with his children.

Laura Duncan of Murphysboro, Ill., drove an hour to the park with her husband, son and granddaughter.

This was Duncan's first visit to the park. She and her family do plan on returning, Duncan said.

rovermann@semissourian.com

388-3688

miller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

1565 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO

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