SANDUSKY, Ohio (AP) — An indoor water park billing itself as the nation’s largest has allowed too many people on a raft ride and operated other rides in an unsafe manner, state safety inspectors have reported in the past three years.

Officials at Kalahari Resort say the park is safe and have requested a hearing to respond. The state in May said it found 11 violations in eight separate areas of the resort.

Since the resort opened in 2005, Ohio’s amusement ride safety division has taken disciplinary action against Kalahari five times. During that time, only one other water park in the state received a citation, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees ride safety.

Amusement Ride Safety Division Chief James Truex told Kalahari management in May that inspectors found fewer life guards than they expected and that “many water rides were operated in a careless and unsafe manner.” He proposed a fine of $55,000.

“The Kalahari in Sandusky has been fined for similar violations each of the past three years,” Truex wrote. “This was taken into consideration when determining the amount of fine per violation.”

WBNS-TV in Columbus reported this month that an internal agriculture department memo said that Kalahari lifeguards had voiced concerns about staffing. A Kalahari spokeswoman said the concerns came from disgruntled employees.

The resort’s president, Todd Nelson, said safety is the park’s top priority.

“We have one million guests who visit Kalahari Resort each year,” he said in an e-mail to the Sandusky Register. “And, those guests take more than 15 million rides on our attractions. Kalahari Resorts are known for our exciting water rides and resort entertainment, but we want travelers to know that we are extremely committed to their safety.”

Sandusky, about midway between Cleveland and Toledo, has five indoor water parks that have transformed the town along Lake Erie into a year-round destination.

Kalahari completed an expansion late last year that added new slides, a children’s area and a swim-up bar. It’s by far the area’s largest.

But the state has proposed fines totaling $64,500 since it opened three years ago. The company has paid $5,500 through settlements.

Some of those violations included failing to enforce height requirements for rides and allowing too many riders on family rafts.

Inspectors in May found 14 fewer lifeguards than Kalahari’s plan specified, and at least two guards on duty had invalid certifications, the state said.

Nelson said the number and placement of lifeguards on duty at Kalahari exceeds state requirements and that lifeguards must pass skills tests, take part in continuing education and be state-certified.

 

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