Cape Splash reports more than $100,000 in losses for fiscal year 2023

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – “A lot of them, August 1st, college starts, school starts, practices start for high school athletics, and we lose our staff.” 

It was this staffing shortage that resulted in 17 lost operating days and an operating loss of more than $104,000 for Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center in Fiscal Year 2023, which ran from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023. 

Recreation division manager Penny Williams said the nature of the lifeguarding job can make it difficult to retain employees at places like Cape Splash. 

“Lifeguarding at a facility like that is a commitment,” she said. “They have to keep their skills sharp all the time. We can’t just continue to rehire because it is only a 90-day season that they’re employed there.” 

But she said there are positive signs that fiscal year 2024 will be much better. 

“The city did commit to an increase in part-time salaries, which I think helped us to retain more of our lifeguards, and the fact that we have two other aquatic facilities opening, I think now they’ll have year-long employment,” she said.

And the weather was kind to them this past Summer, which Williams said will contribute to a different looking report next year. 

“This past season, this May through September, we completed a full season and only had like two rain days during the whole time, so I think you’ll see a difference in next year’s numbers,” she said.