Water park touted as economic boost

Proponents of a proposed Cape Girardeau water park say the community needs to take the plunge to replace Capaha Pool.

The water park, they say, stands out as economic development project in a four-tax package on the April 8 ballot aimed largely at addressing city budget woes and building needs.

City officials say the $6.5 million water park is last on the project priority list and won't happen unless voters approve all four tax measures on the ballot.

While the park is last on the list, "it's not a luxury item," said Nancy Jernigan, who co-chaired a citizens task force that last year recommended the water park and other improvement projects and tax measures to fund them.

Supporters such as Jernigan say the project would provide quality water recreation for children and families, and be a tourist attraction that would bring more visitors to Cape Girardeau. City officials estimate it could pump an additional $2 million to $3 million annually into the local economy through consumer spending.

The city council wants voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax for the fire department, a storm-water utility fee, extension of a 10-cent property tax and a local use tax on out-of-state catalog and Internet purchases. The measures would raise an estimated $4.13 million a year for city operations, equipment replacement, storm water projects, construction of a new fire station, expansion of the police station and development of a water park.

If all four measures pass, it's estimated the city could open a water park in two to three years.

'We really need it'

Leslie Martin, who operates Small World Pre-School in Cape Girardeau, said a water park with slides, a shallow pool and a lazy river would draw a crowd.

"We have so many kids that go to Farmington or Perryville to swim. I think we really need it," said Martin. Farmington has a water park, and Perryville has a swimming pool in its community center.

Dan Muser, the city's director of parks and recreation, said today's water park is yesterday's pool. "It is what people want," said Muser, who is pushing the project with the aid of a papier-mâché and balsa wood model.

Eight students in Jon Story's design and drafting class at the Cape Girardeau Career & Technology Center created the model from a plan drawn up in 2000 by a water park designer from Georgia.

City officials believe a water park could pay for itself with admission fees covering the estimated $300,000 to $360,000 annual operating cost. "We should be able to at least break even," said Muser. He said the city isn't adding in the cost of building the water park in its equation.

Muser said admission fees might run anywhere from $4 to $6 for an entire day or at least double what city pool users pay.

Conventional pools, by comparison, are money losers, Muser said. Revenue from the city's two pools -- Capaha and Central Municipal -- covers only about 40 percent of the $392,000 in annual operating costs, he said.

The Farmington water park drew 88,000 people last year, said Muser. He believes a new water park in Cape Girardeau -- proposed to be larger in size and nearly twice as expensive -- could draw 70,000 to 90,000 users a year. Capaha Pool currently draws 30,000 people during the four months a year that it's open.

Elizabeth Seesing of Cape Girardeau served on the task force that recommended the water park project.

Seesing said a water park would be a welcome treat for her 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son. She said other parents want such recreation for their children too.

"I think a water park is essential to the future of the community," she said.

Possibly in Osage Park

No site has been chosen. If funding is secured, Muser said, it likely would be built along a hillside in Osage Park just south of the Osage Community Centre and north of the Ford Groves car dealership.

A facilities plan for the city, drawn up in 2000 by an engineering and architectural firm, recommended that site.

Muser said one advantage is that only about 150 to 200 parking spaces would have to be built because a 300-car parking lot already serves the Osage Community Centre.

Muser said the city's 46-year-old Capaha Pool soon could be too costly to repair. Part of the underground piping system has been replaced twice in the past six years. The bathhouse is in poor shape too.

"You can only go so far with patching and repairs," Muser said. It's inevitable the pool will eventually have to close, he said.

Building a new, conventional pool could cost $3 million, Muser said. For little more than double the price, the city could have a water park, he said.

If Capaha Pool can't open and there's no replacement, the city would be left with only the Central Municipal Pool.

Muser said the result would be an overly crowded pool that could force the city to limit admissions.

"That would be the worst-case scenario, but it's not out of the question," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123