Aquaboggan closes after police issue cease and desist order

Aquaboggan closes after police issue cease and desist order
A screen shot of a promotional video from Aquaboggan's Facebook page depicting one of the park's water slides.
Liz Gotthelf, Publisher

SACO —Aquaboggan Waterpark has closed for the season after police issued a letter on Friday citing concerns that there were too many people gathering at the park.

On Friday, Police Chief Jack Clements served a letter to Aquaboggan  which he said in an email was at the request of the state. Clements said in the letter that on Aug. 3, the city’s code enforcement officer visited the park and estimated that there was about 1,200 people at the park. Clements said it was his understanding that there was routinely more than 100 people at the park, which is in direct violation with the governor’s executive order.

 

On Aug. 1, Governor Janet Mills issued an executive order limiting the number of people at outdoor gatherings to 5 people per 1,000 square feet or not more than 100 people, whichever is less.

Clements said Aquaboggan was “plainly in violation” of this executive order, and if the violations continued, the park could be subject to criminal penalties.

“Having 1,200 persons gather at a waterpark poses a significant public health danger, and I trust that you do not want to see Aquaboggan be the source of an outbreak. In order to protect the safety of your customers, staff members, and the community, and avoid potential criminal penalties, I urge you to comply with this order and cease allowing more than 100 person gather at your facility,” wrote Clements.

Aquaboggan posted Saturday on Facebook that it was closed for the season.

“Due to strict and inconsistent state regulations, it is no longer possible for us to remain open while remaining in compliance with the changes in guidelines,” said Aquaboggan oficials on the Facebook post. “While we firmly disagree that some of these regulations should apply to Aquaboggan, staff and guest safety has always been the number one priority and we will always place public health above profit. We plan to confront the inconsistency of the guidelines by working to create policy change rather than operate against them, but unfortunately this takes time.”

A commenter on Facebook asked what changes Aquaboggan was referring to in the statement, and water park officials responded by stating, “guidance was re-worded to remove capacity and limited us to 100 people total - including more than 40 staff per day. Not feasible.”

Unused passes from this summer will be honored next year, and those who have season passes will get a discount next year, said Aquaboggan officials.

Aquaboggan opened for the season on July 1, after Mills announced that water parks could open as part of stage three of her “Restarting Maine’s Economy Plan.”

Aquaboggan, located on Route One, is more than 40 years old and has a wide range of attractions, including water slides, a wave pool and miniature golf.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at [email protected].