Coronavirus: Springfield Splash Zone 2020 season canceled

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The Splash Zone in Springfield will not open this year as a result of uncertainty created by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The National Trail Parks and Recreation District will be canceling the 2020 Splash Zone season,” NTPRD deputy director Brad Boyer told the News-Sun in an email. “The health and safety of our patrons and staff is our first priority. The ability to ensure the social distancing in and out of the water and consistently sanitizing all public areas make it difficult to open the facility.”

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He indicated operating at a reduced capacity could produce a financial hardship for the district.

“Many of the expenses associated with the operation of an aquatic center are fixed and the budget is dependent on an average daily attendance to off-set these costs,” Boyer said. “Residents that have purchased memberships will have the option to keep their pass for the 2021 season or receive a refund.”

The NTPRD’s parks, trails and other spaces remain open to the public from dawn to dusk with social distancing guidelines in place.

Previously, the city of Urbana and the Champaign County YMCA announced they will not open the public pool there this summer.

“Over the past five years the Champaign Family YMCA has partnered with the City of Urbana to provide recreational services for area residents, including youth sports and managing the swimming pool in Melvin Miller City park,” YMCA CEO Paul Waldsmith and Urbana director of administration Kevin Brugger said in a joint statement.

“Unfortunately, the City of Urbana’s municipal outdoor pool will not open this summer. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused tremendous uncertainty for private and government operations and we look forward to re-opening the Municipal pool in 2021.”