Geelong’s Adventure Park to open on 23rd November but fears capacity limits will impact viability

As part of the Victorian Government’s last step of its reopening roadmap, Geelong’s Adventure Park, described as the state’s “most epic family water theme park”, has been given the green light to open its doors for the season as of 23rd November.

With a comprehensive COVIDSafe plan and new measures will ensure that all staff and guests will be protected from any COVID risks at the attraction, Adventure Park Managing Director, Leanne Salmon is confident that guests can once again enjoy some of the world’s best rides with confidence this summer.

Salmon explained “we’ve gone to great lengths to make changes and ensure that any risks are completely reduced.

“It’s been a challenging year not knowing if or when we could open again, but we’re very excited to be opening with every safety measure in place and be able to give guests peace of mind that their day out will be safe, yet just as fun as ever.”

However, Salmon is disappointed that the Victorian Government’s roadmap to reopening amusement parks will only allow for a maximum capacity of 500 people in the venue under this last step, which she sees as not being financially viable situation for the business to operate within.

However, Adventure Park is working with other Victorian amusements parks Luna Park, Gumbuya World and Funfields to lobby the Victorian Government to increase the imposed maximum capacity limit and be able to welcome more guests this summer.

The attractions point out that amusement and water parks have been operating safely with 50% capacity in the thousands in Queensland and NSW under government approved plans for the past few months, which is a result the Victorian parks would like to see.

They explain that the risk of contracting the COVID virus at aquatic attractions is very low because it does not spread in water, in fact the COVID virus is killed by chlorinated water, The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention describes.

At Adventure Park, chlorine is used in all aquatic areas and, combined with a number of new measures being implemented to reduce any risk of COVID, the attraction is well prepared to accommodate more than 500 guests this summer.

Adventure Park’s COVID Safe Plan also relies upon guests to observe the following changes to operation of the park when visiting and planning their visit:

Reduced capacity in park and on rides
• Adventure Park will operate at a reduced capacity until further advised and during this time entry will only be available to those who have pre-purchased tickets online.
• Rides will operate at a reduced capacity to achieve 1.5 metre distancing however guests/families who live together will be allowed to ride together.

Physical distancing 
• Guests are required to maintain 1.5 metre physical distance from other people at all times. Queues have been redesigned with distance markers to show where to stand.

Increased hygiene and sanitisation
• There will be increased cleaning and sanitisation of rides, shared facilities and high touch points throughout the Park. 
• Guests are asked to practice good hygiene while visiting, avoid touching surfaces where possible, and sneezing or coughing into their elbow.
• Guests will be asked to sanitise before boarding each ride.

Stay home if unwell
• If feeling unwell or experiencing any COVID symptoms, please stay home and choose to visit the Park another day. 
• Tickets can be changed by contacting Guest Services.

Face masks
• Face masks are mandatory by all guests and staff. Some water rides will require removal of masks while riding, which are to be replaced on exit of the ride.

Contactless payments and online food ordering 
• Adventure Park encourages contactless payments while on the premises and recommend ordering food via its new online food ordering app.

Adventure Park’s COVID Safe Plan can be viewed at www.adventurepark.com.au/COVIDSAFE/ 

Images courtesy of Adventure Park Geelong.