CEDAR POINT ALLOWED TO OPEN ON JUNE 19, BUT WILL IT?

CEO Richard Zimmerman of Cedar Fair Entertainment was very happy that Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health announced that Ohio amusement parks, including Cedar Point and Kings Island have been cleared to reopen. As to opening on Friday, June 19, Zimmerman said the opening dates will be confirmed after the details for opening the parks are studied.

“The reopening of the parks is crucial to the economic viability of Erie County, and we look forward to getting back to business and hope other states will follow Ohio’s lead in reopening parks around the country,” said Zimmerman. Restrictions will probably include capacity, with reservations to be required to prevent crowding.

Sandusky City Manager Eric Wobser believes Cedar Point plans to hire primarily local workers and college students from around the country.

Kalahari, also located in Sandusky, plans to partially open on Friday, July 12. The resort’s hotel, dining rooms, entertainment and outdoor pool will be opened.

MAKE A BET ON IT, STARTING JUNE 19 AT OHIO RACINOS, CASINOS

Ohio’s horse racing tracks are open, and the Ottawa County Fair will have harness racing on Monday and Tuesday, July 20-21. Now the state’s multibillion dollar casinos and racinos have the green light to start gambling again on Friday, June 19.

It’s expected that slot machines will be reconfigured to create social distancing space between the slot machines. There also be a reduction of seats at the gaming tables. All seven of the racinos are expected to be in action on June 19, including JACK Entertainment in Cleveland and North Park in Northfield. The capacity is expected to be limited to 20%, increasing to 50% later in the year.

TERRA STATE GETS $1.2 MILLION GRANT FOR COVID-19 JOBS CORP

As part of the Job Corps Scholars Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Terra State Community College received $1,186,700 to provide at-risk youth with job skills instruction, educational opportunities and individualized employment counseling to defeat coronavirus and reopen economy through the Job Corps Scholars Program.

Combining job training, classroom education, and employment counseling will give participating young adults an opportunity to excel. Terra State plans to partner with the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) to provide free tuition for career technical training. Career Coaches will provide intensive personal and career counseling services to support and facilitate completion of the program.

DAY CAMPS, AQUARIUMS, INDOOR SPORTS AMONG THIS WEEK’S OPENINGS

Day camps and residential camps may open at any time.  Entertainment venues listed below are now open if they are able to follow Retail, Consumer, Service & Entertainment Guidelines and other applicable additional guidance:

• Aquariums
• Art galleries
• Country clubs
• Ice skating rinks
• Indoor family
• entertainment centers
• Indoor sports facilities
• Laser tag facilities
• Movie theaters (indoor)
• Museums
• Playgrounds (outdoor)
• Public recreation centers
• Roller skating rinks
• Social clubs
• Trampoline parks
• Zoos

GREAT WOLF LODGE SANDUSKY SET TO REOPEN JUNE 26

Great Wolf Lodge Sandusky announced will open the resort beginning Friday, June 26. Great Wolf Lodge introduced its new Paw Pledge program, a company-wide initiative focused on keeping families healthy and safe while they play together at the indoor waterpark resort, and developed based on guidance from health authorities and public officials.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our guests, pack members and community has long been our guiding principle at Great Wolf Lodge.We have been working to develop and implement comprehensive reopening plans based on guidance and protocols recommended by the government and CDC,” said Murray Hennessy, Chief Executive Officer for Great Wolf Resorts.

Great Wolf Lodge collaborated with medical experts, sanitation specialists and industrial engineers to develop health and safety procedures for the 271-room resort. This includes the 33,000 square-foot indoor water park, attractions, various eateries, grand lobby area and all guest rooms.

LESI OFFERS COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR SAFETY, CONFIDENCE

As businesses begin the task of re-opening and adjusting business practices to be compliant with state and local health department orders regarding COVID-19, consumers are wondering what new protocols are in place and what types of precautions are being taken to ensure their safety. Lake Erie Shores & Islands is creating a new document, similar to its “What’s Available” page, an interactive PDF, which will be accessible directly from its home page.

A “Safety Protocols” link will direct people to partner web pages that show what specific plans are in place. Partners who have these protocols posted on their websites, or have posted these to their social media pages, will have those links added to their individual partner listing page at SHORESandISLANDS.com.

If you are instituting new protocols or have safety information to share with potential guests, post those to your individual websites, social media channels, and send the url link to mackenzie@shoresandislands.com.

AMERICAN PRESIDENTS FILM & LITERARY FEST CANCELLED

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty about having large gatherings and resources required to plan in-person and virtual events, the American Presidents Film & Literary Festival is canceled for 2020. The festival board and committees will instead focus on planning the 2021 festival, which will take place Sept. 25- Oct. 3, 2021 at various locations in Fremont.