Yes, Meridian’s Roaring Springs is open. It is operating with coronavirus protocols
A recent uproar over a West Ada School District back-to-school fundraiser thrust Roaring Springs Waterpark into the news and led people to ask how the popular fun spot can even be open.
But it is indeed allowed to operate while Ada County is back in Stage 3 of the state’s original coronavirus reopening plan, and it has new safety protocols in place.
The Meridian water park recently implemented new social distancing protocols in response to Central District Health’s order mandating the wearing of masks or face coverings in Ada County when it’s not possible to be 6 feet apart, even outdoors.
Effective Wednesday, Roaring Springs now requires everyone older than 2 to wear a mask while entering the park, and they must wear masks in food lines, the gift shop and in restrooms, according to the park’s website. Masks are being sold at the ticket booth for $1 each if people don’t have their own. Everyone who enters is also given a temperature check, and if someone is over 100.3, they can’t come in.
However, masks are not permitted in water and should not be worn when in pools or on slides.
Tiffany Quilici, the marketing director for Roaring Springs, said the Idaho park has extensive social distancing measures in place to mitigate the risk of spreading the coronavirus. She said that water parks are allowed to open under Stage 3 of Idaho Rebounds and are similar to larger stores, in that more than 50 people — the limit on gathering sizes in Ada right now — may be in the park at one time.
The park follows all health ordinances and guidelines put forward by local health officials as well as county officials, Quilici said. Roaring Springs’ safety plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 was approved by Central District Health, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, and the Meridian mayor’s office before it reopened.
Though Roaring Springs has not reduced the entrance capacity for the whole park, it has placed capacity limits on higher-traffic areas, such as the wave pool, lazy river and Barefoot Bay, a play area for younger children, according to its website.
Quilici added that according to the CDC, there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can spread to people through pools, hot tubs or water alone, as long as the pools are properly disinfected and chlorinated. The water park installed an ultraviolet light on all pools that adds another layer of disinfecting.
Earlier this week, Roaring Springs was a topic of conversation when the West Ada School District promoted a back-to-school pool party and fundraiser there for early August. Parents of schoolchildren pushed back hard, voicing their concern to the Statesman and to the district, and the event was canceled just one day later.
Quilici said the annual event was less of a pool party and more of a ticketed, after-hours family night, an event that still would carry the same regulations that the park implements every day.
For now, Roaring Springs is open and will continue to be as permitted by state and local officials, Quilici said. She noted that stringent safety measures will remain in place as long as needed.
“If someone is walking in, they’re wearing a mask,” she said.
This story was originally published July 17, 2020 at 12:03 PM.
