Uhrichsville Waterpark will remain open until Labor Day due to reallocation of funds
UHRICHSVILLE ‒ The shifting of some funds will allow the Uhrichsville Waterpark to remain open on a limited basis through Labor Day.
On Thursday, council unanimously approved reallocating $12,000 in waterpark funds for use to pay salaries, which will allow the facility to be open weekends through the first of September and to be open for nine private parties that have already been booked. The park will be closed on Aug. 19, because of a shortage of help.
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On Tuesday, Auditor Michael Maurer emailed city officials, recommending that the waterpark close at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Only $14,482 remained to pay salaries for the remainder of this year. On an average week, payroll runs around $15,000. "Therefore, our suggestion is to close to avoid going over budget," he wrote.
Extra week of payroll
Mayor Mark Haney explained the reason for the shortfall in an email to council members.
"Last year school began on Aug. 15 and this year school begins on Aug. 21, which means we have an extra week of payroll compared to last year." he said.
The waterpark normally closes for the season just before the start of classes at Claymont City Schools. Many waterpark employees are students and district staff.
"The extra week was not included in the 2023 budget," Haney said. "We close the water park during the weekdays when school begins but we keep it open on the weekends and during evenings for parties. With the current budget funds as is, we cannot do that."
Questions on spending
Some council members questioned why more money was needed.
"I just have a hard time understanding how we can be closed so many days or not open half the day but still be right up against the budget," said Councilman Matthew Fox.
The waterpark was closed 14 days this year, seven of them because of the weather.
"I don't do the scheduling. I don't monitor the scheduling. I can't answer that question. But we have to have so many lifeguards at that waterpark. We cannot risk a lawsuit if someone drowns," Assistant Auditor Becky Carpenter responded.
City officials say the waterpark is required to have a minimum of eight lifeguards on duty at all times. There are more than 30 lifeguards altogether. They are among the highest paid workers at the park, earning $11.50 an hour.
Councilman Jim Zucal said he was going to look into the lifeguard requirement.
"Keep in mind, last year we had a $72,000 budget shortfall," he noted. This year we budgeted $30,000 additional dollars, and now they're coming back for another $12,000, so we're at $42,000 additional. We're cutting short the end of the season. I remember the state auditor reported on the waterpark, if I remember correctly, they said you don't need a band aid, you need a tourniquet because we're hemorrhaging financially. So, we need some proper control for the place."
'It's not a cheap investment'
Haney said the waterpark is expensive to operate. In the next couple of months, the city will need to paint the whole pool, which will mean it will need acid-washed, and corrosion coating needs to be done on the slide decks because they are rusting.
"We put roughly $300,000 in maintenance in the last three years into that. It's not a cheap investment," the mayor said.
Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Uhrichsville council shifts funds; waterpark open until Labor Day
