The Wetlands at Great Bend Aquatic Center will close on Friday, Aug. 14, for the last time this summer, Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington told the City Council Monday night.

“Due to a critical staffing shortage on the final weekend of Aug. 15 and 16, it is necessary to close the water park for the season at the end of the day Aug. 14,” he said. “We have exhausted all avenues to staff the pool and regret having to make this decision.”

Without being able to properly staff the facility, “we could unnecessarily jeopardize the safety of our patrons and put the city at substantial risk,” he said. 

The college-age guards are headed back to school. And, many of the younger staff members have other plans.

Partington said there have been staffing issues on weekends all summer, but nothing that would force a closure.