Water park's official opening uncertain

North Collier Regional Park’s Sun-N-Fun Lagoon might open this afternoon.

Key word: might.

“What I am hearing is — and I was out there for part of (the inspection) — is that pretty much everything’s been repaired, except for some loose things here and there. But they’re already being tightened,” said Collier County Public Services Division spokeswoman Camden Smith. “Pretty much, they went around and rattled all the railings today, looked at the light fixtures and the pools.”

But Smith could not say whether the park would get the official green light from Ken Rech, Health Department Director of Environmental Health and Engineering. Only that she fully anticipates being able to open.

Quirks in the park’s construction, ranging from loose railings to trouble with irrigation and sprinklers, have led to an all-out race to correct them in time for today’s unofficial grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m.

Smith said residents should expect everything to open as planned. Any last-minute cancellations will be well-publicized.

“If anything changes and we have to call it off, we’ll be calling the media and (the public) can go to www.collierparks.com for any breaking news,” she said.

This afternoon, the waterslide wonderland, built to hold 2,587 guests, will be free for Collier County residents with identification.

Assuming that it opens.

Regular admission is $5.50 for kids shorter than 4 feet in height and $10 for taller individuals. Kids 3 years old and younger get in free.

One thing is certain: The park’s food concession stand will serve only as a restroom until further notice. The kitchen hood did not pass a fire department inspection.

But a vendor will serve as a temporary fix until the kitchen is brought up to par, according to Smith.

The park’s formal ribbon-cutting ceremony is reserved for 9:30 a.m. Saturday. But it is expected to be open during its regular hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., for regular admission prices Thursday and Friday.