Waterpark Opening Discussed During Thursday Meeting

With the anticipated June 12 opening of River Rapids Waterpark only days away, Ste. Genevieve County Health Department administrator Sandra Bell deflected concerns about its safety during last Thursday’s County Commission meeting.
A caller during the meeting expressed apprehension over its opening.
“I’m requesting that you reconsider the opening date for the waterpark,” the caller said. “I don’t think it’s a good idea; I don’t see social distancing at all. So far, Ste. Genevieve has done well with the help and the guidance of the health department and social distancing. I don’t see how that can be done at the waterpark.”
She said she is “not the only one feeling that way.”
The caller told Presiding Commissioner Garry Nelson she understood the economic aspect of the situation.
“I understand the economics of it, Garry,” she said. “I get that. But you’re going to get our tax money if it’s open or not. My concern is the spread [of the virus].”
Nelson told her that Brad Arnold, Ste. Genevieve County Community Center executive director, has been working with health department inspector Bob Kluender on ways to handle the reopening. Arnold and Kluender had agreed on allowing only 600 people in the park at a time — about 50 percent capacity.

See complete story in the June 10 edition of the Herald.