BEATRICE – Something Beatrice-area kids should be happy to hear, especially now that hotter weather has arrived….

The splash pad at Sertoma-Astro Park was opening Thursday, at noon. Mayor Stan Wirth relayed the word from city Public Properties Director Mark Pethoud, about the northeast Beatrice feature.

"The restroom is still not in place, but there will be signs posted reiterating social distancing and the guidelines to stay safe.....and that opens at noon today and the hours are from noon until eight p.m."

Plans are to finish a restroom facility at the park this month. The splash pad opened last summer but the reopening this year has been delayed because of coronavirus concerns and the move to complete the restroom facility.

Mayor Wirth notes the Big Blue Water Park will be opening on Monday, and ten lifeguards have been hired to work at the facility.
"We are going to be required to limit the patrons to 25 percent of the capacity, or in this instance, 200 people. The hours the first week are going to be scaled back, just a little bit. It's going to be from twelve until six....and then from six until seven, the pool staff is going to sanitize the entire area".

A schedule has been established to clean water park restrooms on an hourly basis. Wirth says officials are considering holding a family night, three times weekly… Monday, Wednesday and Friday…but plans have not been finalized.

Even with up to 200 people allowed at one time at the Big Blue Water Park, Wirth feels residents will do what they can to keep social distancing in mind.
"It appears that there is good common sense being used in our community. And, that is evident by the fact that we really haven't seen any new cases in Beatrice or in Gage County, so I think that is really positive. It tells me that people are doing what they are supposed to do, and taking it serious".

Relaxed health measures have also allowed baseball and softball team practices to be held, with competitive games allowed, starting June 18th.