Record-setting temps boost Cape Splash attendance

Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center apparently hasn't lost its luster after all.

After a disappointing 2011 that was plagued by an uncooperative Mother Nature, the Cape Girardeau water park's attendance climbed to 3,713 over the three-day Memorial Day weekend that saw record-setting temperatures.

In fact, parks officials said, the first hour of paid admissions on Saturday's opening day totaled more than 2011's opening day proceeds, when only $1,146 was made in admission sales. This year, the city made $7,273 in admissions Saturday and a three-day haul of $20,592.

"When it's hot, people want to come to the water park and cool off," said Amy Roth, recreations supervisor at the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department. "Last summer, it was not a normal summer."

In its debut year, the $6.1 million water park exceeded expectations, drawing an average daily attendance of about 1,300 in the weeks after it opened. But last year, spotty weather dragged down overall attendance figures and net revenue from $322,208 in 2010 to $144,876. But, so far at least, the numbers this year seemed closer to 2010 than 2011, buoyed no doubt by searing temperatures that reached the mid-90s.

Roth, who manages the water park, noted that she heard comments last year that the newness of the water park seemed to be wearing off. She said she doesn't necessarily disagree with the assertion.

"But I truly believe the weather has had more of an effect on our revenue than anything," she said.

On Saturday, 1,315 people went to the water park, which is still lower than 2010's opening day total of 1,583. Sunday's total attendance was 1,120 and Memorial Day's total reached 1,271.

The aquatic center is the most pricey piece of a $20 million park facilities plan that has also included renovations and expansion of the Arena Building and the Osage Centre, new greens and fairways at Jaycee Municipal Golf Course and construction of the community center at Shawnee Park. Voters approved the projects, together with the bonds and a tax to finance the projects, in April 2008.

Parks director Julia Thompson said weather is a factor in any outdoor operation and pointed out that the Cape Jaycee Municipal Golf Course is off to a good start as well.

"You can't deny that having just that really mild winter and then the spring just warming up so quickly now is the reason our opening weekend was just perfect," Thompson said. "When you're talking about a banner year, you hope those good weather weekends coincide with the times people want to be out in the water and around the water."

Thompson also acknowledged the perception that the water park does not have attractions to satisfy older children. Cape Girardeau City Councilman Mark Lanzotti made that point at the recent annual council retreat. Cape Splash includes a 700-foot lazy river, a 177-foot open slide and a 140-foot enclosed slide, a vortex swirl pool, a zero-depth entry leisure pool and splash pads. Thompson said the parks department is always looking for ways to appeal to all of its different markets.

"But that teenage market is a challenge," Thompson said. "It doesn't matter if it's pools or programs or events."

An option being considered, she said, is for the water park to host events exclusively for middle-school age and older children, such as a teen night with music and a theme. That's a no-cost option that Thompson called a no-brainer.

The other option, Thompson said, is to add more amenities, citing a more advanced "adventure slide" or a "drop slide" as possibilities. But both of those items would be costly, perhaps as much as $750,000. Other possibilities, she said, would be less expensive and that the department is going to consider a range of improvements.

On Tuesday afternoon, the holiday weekend was over but Cape Splash was still a bustle of toddlers stomping through the splash pads, teenagers careening down slides and others who just lounged poolside.

Jeff Poole drove his daughter Gracie and her friend Emily 60 miles from their home in Bardwell, Ky., just to spend the day at the water park. His daughter begins badgering him to take them a few weeks before the park even opens, he said.

"They love coming here," Poole said. "It gives them something fun to do, and it gets us out of the house."

Zora Baron of Morris, Ill., was in town visiting and decided to decompress for a few hours lying out in the sun.

"I just wanted to be outside," she said. "I have two jobs. It's nice to have the opportunity to get out and relax. It's a beautiful park."

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1565 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, MO