Editorial: Splash Planet punters need reassurance

Splash Planet needs to shore up its 'family-friendly' premises, writes Mark Story

An assault at Splash Planet on Saturday wasn't the ideal way to begin the star attraction's season.

It's a big issue because it's a big drawcard. Many people, friends and relatives I talk to outside this region often tell me they're heading this way to bring their kids to the Grove Rd landmark.

About 3500 people attended Splash Planet on the day of the attack.

While that's impressive in terms of gate takings, it's also a potential 3500 witnesses to a king-hit that eventuated in a seizure for the 13-year old victim.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst took the incident seriously, and added: "Our staff handled the incident very well."

Thing is, following a brawl at the same venue in December last year, then Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule also praised the staff. "The team did a really good job."

We're stoked that employees deftly handle post-assault clean-ups - but most of us would prefer fewer clean-ups.

Families, like mine, who've taken their kids along to this attraction dozens of times and love the facilities, will equally attest it's far from Edenic.

With its mass of humanity, demographic mix and young egos, there's an appreciable energy - bordering on angst.

Any public occasion with said dynamic ingredients contains a heightened risk of conflict.

Mrs Hazlehurst's comment that "security is paramount to the success of Splash Planet" is, of course, spot on.

Hence, perhaps it's time to sharpen security and extend the territory of the Hastings City Assist team. The same patrollers sparked the reclaiming of Hastings' CBD.

Extra shifts mean extra monies. But surely there's a dividend in ensuring gate takings - by reassuring potential visitors.