Splash ’n’ Putt scratches season
Splash ’n’ Putt to close for season in light of COVID-19 pandemic
One of the province’s most popular highway attractions will not open for the 2020 tourism season.
Splash ‘n’ Putt, a waterpark and cabin getaway combo, made the decision earlier this week to not operate this season because of safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its concern for employees, guests and the community network near the park.
Shane Gardner, who owns the park with his wife, Angela, said the facility had the majority of its cabin bookings cancelled after they announced the closure of the waterpark.
Splash ‘n’ Putt is a fully functioning waterpark. There are two swimming pools, a large waterslide, bumper boats, go-karts, bumper cars and mini-golf.
They decided to close on July 7. The Mary Brown’s restaurant on site, as well as the convenience store and dairy bar, will remain open.
“We were kind of nervous (about opening). We don’t really want to create another cluster,” said Gardner.
In conversations with customers, he’s heard concerns about the Atlantic bubble and people worried about sharing space with those from outside the province.
“Nobody knows what to do,” said Gardner. “It is really bad for the summer season. It is hard for people to plan anything.”
Wayne Hallett sees the breaktfast table as the most interesting part of running the Prints of Whales Inn Bed and Breakfast in Sandringham.
He draws guests from all over the world, and the breaktfast table is where they consistently meet and share their stories.
This year, however, there won’t be any international affairs discussed in the morning, as Hallett has decided to close his establishment due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When you look at the costs incurred to ramp up for the season ... all of that additional expense (with safety precautions), it’s just not worth it,” said Hallett.
He says the seasonal closure of Splash ‘n’ Putt will have an effect on the number of visitors the area will see.
“It is a major draw for the area,” said Hallett.
Despite this and an initial apprehension around the Atlantic bubble, the chairperson of the Road to the Beaches Tourism Association says cabin operators in the region are seeing steady traffic.
“There is a sense the area is doing well,” said Hallett. “There are a lot of people vacationing in the area right now.”
Glovertown is one of the communities on the Eastport Peninsula that sees economic benefits when Splash ‘n’ Putt is running smoothly.
They, along with others, will get spinoff visitors hitting their trails and visiting their beaches while spending money.
“It is going to have a big effect on all businesses,” said Glovertown Mayor Doug Churchill, adding that some other businesses have made a choice similar to Splash ‘n’ Putt. “These are tough decisions.” Churchill said they have seen an increase in people around town so far this summer.
In its closure post, Splash ‘n’ Putt encouraged people to visit the area and take in some of its trails and other sights.
When it comes to Splash ‘n’
Putt, Gardner said he doesn’t know yet what this summer closure might mean for 2021.
“We don’t know what next year will look like,” he said.