The Wetlands Waterpark at Great Bend’s Brit Spaugh Park could open Saturday, weather permitting, but the forecast is not promising.
Sunday also looks “iffy,” but the first day that the temperature hits 75 degrees, those gates will swing open and the giant tipping bucket will be back in action.
Weather permitting, the water park located at 2303 Main will be open from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. seven days a week, with Family Swim Nights from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays.
Devan Boeger is back as the pool manager, said Terry Hoff at the City Office. “She does an excellent job.”
Boeger worked at the water park for six years as a lifeguard, including four as the head lifeguard, before being named pool manager in 2014.
Even though the water is cold and the weather may delay the opening, Hoff said a change of policy could mean the pool will be open more days this summer.
“We’ll check the temperature at 11 a.m.,” Hoff said. “If it looks like it’s going to be 75 degrees or more, we’ll open.” In the past, the pool stayed closed on days when the morning temperature was too low, even though it warmed up later in the day. But any time the forecast is for weather cooler than 75, plan on spending the day in another part of the park – such as the Brit Spaugh Zoo.
The City staff hopes to get the word out as quickly as possible on days when the pool will be closed, Hoff said. A new feature on the website greatbendwaterpark.com will let people know when the Wetlands Watererpark is closed.
The Wetlands Waterpark can also be found on the Internet on Facebook and Twitter.
Cost of admission is $4 for adults, 18 years and older; $3 for youths ages 3-17; and free for children 2 and younger. Admission on Family Nights is $2 per person, and a punch pass, good for 15 visits, is available for $40. Passes may be purchased at the City Office today; after that, they will be on sale at the water park.
Since 2005, the city billed the Wetlands at Great Bend as one of the premier water parks in the state of Kansas. It features slides, spray features, swimming pool with a divided shallow end separated by floating features, climbing wall, a Water Wars area for slinging water balloons and that 300-gallon tipping bucket, which periodically drenches anyone who stands under it.
