New Braunfels Schlitterbahn to reopen in mid-June at 25 percent capacity

Schlitterbahn plans to reopen its New Braunfels and Galveston waterparks in mid-June at 25 percent capacity, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

The parks, which are owned by Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., temporarily closed in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The reopening announcement comes after Gov. Greg Abbott issued new orders on Tuesday that allows Texas waterparks to open Friday at 25 percent capacity.

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The Texas waterparks plan to reopen with “enhanced safety measures and operational changes,” the statement reads.

Last summer, Cedar Fair purchased the two parks from the Henry family, the owners of Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts. Millions of dollars in upgrades and renovations were invested into the park in the lead up to its brief season that was cut short in March.

In 2018, the parks drew 1.2 million visitors and generates $68 million annually, according to Cedar Fair, which owns and operates more than a dozen amusement and water parks across the country.

Priscilla Aguirre is a general assignment reporter for MySA.com | [email protected] | @CillaAguirre