ST. MARYS, Ga. – The St. Marys Aquatic Center is set to temporarily close this summer so the city can make repairs to the water park.
The park will be tentatively closed from June 15 until June 29.
“We understand how disappointing this is, especially during the hot days when families and friends look forward to cooling off and enjoying time together at the pool,” the city said in a message to residents. “Unfortunately, some necessary repairs to our pipes and pumps must be completed to avoid a much more serious and extended closure later this season. These systems are showing their age after 25 years of service, and if we do not act now, we risk a full shutdown that could last the entire summer.”
News4JAX spoke with a woman who didn’t want to be identified but said the closing for two weeks is frustrating.
“We really enjoy going,” She said. “It’s hard though when the price, the prices are high and they’re going to close for two weeks during peak season it really doesn’t make sense to me. “It feels like you’re not getting your money’s worth.”
That woman who didn’t want to be identified said the reason this is frustrating is because she feels like there is always something happening at the center.
She said last year, some water features didn’t work at the park.
The announcement of the closure was met with frustration on the St. Marys Aquatic Center Facebook page.
“This is a sorry explanation considering you’re closed for 10 months of the year. Is this water park not being properly maintained throughout the year regardless of opening dates? Is there a reason this maintenance has not been done previously or can be scheduled before opening during the week? It’s apparent that St Mary’s residents tax money is not going to what it should be for this water park because this is inexcusable,” one person wrote.
“Sounds like someone seriously screwed up the preventative maintenace or just plain didn’t do it. Either way, I won’t be buying my family passes this year,” another commenter wrote.
Others came to the park’s defense.
“Do you really think they take joy closing and losing money? I doubt it,” one person wrote. “This is life, no different than something in your home needing repairs, always at the most inconvenient time.”
“Let’s try to show a little grace instead of burning the whole place down in the comments,” another person said.
However, not everyone is upset by closure.
Maria Lucas said that though she had to cancel her child’s party because it was scheduled during that two-week scheduled maintenance period, a place having to perform maintenance is necessary.
“My kids love it there, we’ll still go there,“ Lucas said.
And those who were angered by the closure and those who weren’t each wanted to know this question, “Once again, I feel like this should’ve have been taken care of the other ten months of the year,” the woman who didn’t want to be identified asked.
News4JAX took that question to Robert T. Hurton, the city manager.
He said, “The plan was to have the maintenance done prior to season opening, but the process took a bit longer.” Having engineers looking at the problem during the off-season to determine the most practical way to fix it. Then they had to put a package together and then put out a request for proposal according to public works law.”
The city said season passes will be discounted by $5 through June 29. If you have already purchased your pass, you can receive a $5 voucher to use at SMAC anytime through the end of the season.
The city said the closure was scheduled based on when materials are expected to arrive, and crews are standing by to get to work immediately. If repairs are finished ahead of schedule, the park will reopen right away with no delays.
The park said it will provide updates on its Facebook page.