MESA, Ariz — With Arizona’s stay-at-home order expiring and more restrictions lifted this week, a popular water park in Mesa is beginning to reopen to help families cool off.
Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa said they opened Thursday after Gov. Doug Ducey allowed pools to reopen.
The park is opening up with some of its water-based attractions including the wave pool and slides.
In a release to 12 News Golfland Sunsplash said it’s not “business as normal.”
The park adds they’re following guidance from the CDC, limiting capacity at the park to half of the normal capacity and steps are being taken to keep things clean.
They’re also asking guests to maintain social distancing, and have posted online that violators may be asked to leave.
Golfland Sunsplash also said on their website that COVID-19 doesn’t survive in properly chlorinated pools and tells 12 News they keep their pools chlorinated above what’s required in Maricopa County. The park adds staff is checking the chemistry of the pools every half hour.
“If you’re at a swimming pool and there’s chlorine in the pool, it approaches zero the chance of you spreading it,” Dr. Frank Lovecchio, with Valleywise Health Medical Center said.
Dr. Lovecchio adds this warning though when it comes to opening up amusement parks:
“It is very, very risky and some people are going to get sick,” Lovecchio said. “I can tell you in a year or so or a little bit more, when we have a vaccine, it’d be much safer.”
The water park also has a policy where visitors can get a ticket to return next year if they don’t feel comfortable with the measures they’re taking within an hour of being there.
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