OTTUMWA, IOWA -- Saturday marked the unofficial start to summer in the City of Bridges.
Despite an overcast day and a forecast of rain, the Beach Ottumwa Water Park opened its doors for business, it's 20th season in a row. The park offers a variety of activities such as an indoor pool and slide, wave pool, kids play area, and three different slides. There's also concessions and chairs for people who want to lay in the sun.
The biggest change people will notice at the Beach Ottumwa this year is the new tube slide that was installed by the city earlier this month. The city of Ottumwa paid $250,000 for the slide, but Park Secretary Wendy Hayes is confident it will pay off.
"In the 19 years that we've been open we have not had any new features put in. So with us getting this new slide, people in the community are very excited. They've been calling me daily to find out if we have it ready."
The Beach is vital to Ottumwa as it brings in thousands of dollars to the city's economy. Hayes said has advantages over other nearby water parks.
"Our prices are competitive with all of the other facilities so I think we've got a low price. Honey Creek Resort is all indoors, ours is outside where people can enjoy the inside or outside."
Visitors like Joseph Hartley say its been a blast.
"I'm having fun. The slides really great. It's faster then the white slide is. But its not faster the speed slide."
The park will be open every day from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is $5 or $75 for a season pass.
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