Lessons Through Lessons

The opening of Blue Surf Bay Waterpark at the Carson Ross Community Recreation Complex in 2024 marked a major shift for Blue Springs, Mo. It introduced the community’s first public aquatic facility and re-established an aquatic division within the parks and recreation department after several years without one.Because both the facility and division were developed simultaneously, anticipation around community response and operational readiness was doubled. To prepare, leadership made intentional decisions to demonstrate value and build trust from the beginning. The 170,000-square-foot aquatic addition to the existing fieldhouse and fitness center introduced destination-level amenities, including a surf simulator and one of the longest stand-up waterslides in the country. The membership model for the field house expanded to include waterpark access, creating a strong, initial draw. Those decisions successfully brought people through the doors. The next step focused on helping residents feel prepared to use the space safely and confidently.In this episode, we talk with Chase Coffee, Manager of Aquatics for Blue Springs Parks & Rec about lessons learned and advice for others looking to build a new facility. You can read the story here: https://www.prbplus.com/lessons-through-lessons/You can watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/@prbmagazine/podcasts