As planned, Splash in the Boro Waterpark will open May 20-21 for its first weekend of the season. However, due to some construction delays, the new wave pool will not be open on those dates, the Recreation Department announced Monday.
"As with any construction, there can be delays," Mike Rollins, Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department director, said in a news release. "Our contractors are working hard to complete this extensive project."
An added third concession area that is part of the same project also will not open that first weekend. But the two original concession areas and all the waterpark attractions available in 2016 will be open, said Broni Gainous, marketing and communications coordinator.
Guests will arrive at the park through the new entry plaza. The road has been redesigned to provide a drop-off area for buses and large groups. Another part of the project added offices and training rooms in the aquatics building.
An increase in Splash's admission prices, intended to help recover the $5.7 million cost of the expansion, will not take effect until the wave pool is opened, park officials also announced. So 2016 prices will remain in effect May 20-21, which the county-backed Parks and Recreation Department, operator of the waterpark, is calling a trial run or "soft opening" weekend.
New manager
"We treat this first weekend as a soft opening, letting staff acclimate to the environment and finding out if and where we need to tweak anything," said Justin Blanton, the department's new Aquatics Division manager.
Blanton's first day on the job was April 17. He came here from the DeKalb County Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs Department, where he served as parks program coordinator over that department's Aquatics Division. He will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the newly expanded Splash.
"While Justin has extensive experience, each aquatics facility is different, so he will be continuing to learn during this season as well," Rollins said.
Steve Brown, who had been Aquatics Division manager since Splash opened in 2004, left at the end of 2016 for a management job with a water park in Warner Robins.
June debut hoped
The weather has been one factor in the delayed opening of Splash's new attraction and amenities, Rollins indicated.
"We just can't predict weather or how it will affect things like the curing of the paint on the Wave Pool," he said in the release. "Unfortunately, those types of things affect the entire operation, and we are sometimes at the mercy of the elements."
Officials are not predicting a firm date when the wave pool and related amenities will open but are hopeful for early June.
"It's not a definite by any means, but we're shooting for June 5," Gainous said Tuesday.
Prices now and later
Although the previous year's prices will remain in effect until further notice, prices will increase for the remainder of the season once the wave pool opens. Splash in the Boro admission prices are based on height.
For now, as in 2016, regular ticket prices will be as follows: $10.99 for children and adults under 48 inches tall; $13.99 for children and adults over 48 inches tall.
However, children age 2 and younger are admitted free and seniors over age 60 for $7.
There is also a discount for Bulloch County residents, Georgia Southern University and Ogeechee Technical College students and staff, and active military. All require a valid GS, OTC or military identification. The discounted price is currently $8.99 for qualifying guests under 48 inches tall and $10.99 for those over 48 inches tall.
Once the wave pool opens, admission prices will be as follows: $13.99 for children and adults under 48 inches tall; $18.99 for children and adults over 48 inches tall. Children age 2 and younger will still get in free, and the new rate for seniors over age 60 will be $8.
For guests qualifying for the GS, OTC or military discount, the new prices will be $10.99 for anyone under 48 inches tall and $13.99 for those over 48 inches tall.
"We apologize for any inconvenience the delay of opening the Wave Pool may cause," Blanton said in the release. "We are working diligently to get the entire park open so that we all can have a fun-filled summer!"
For more information on Splash in the Boro Waterpark, visit www.splashintheboro.com or call (912) 489-3000.