One of Hawke's Bay's biggest tourism attractions Splash Planet will be closed for the summer for the first time since it was established in 1998.
Hastings District Council made the difficult decision on Thursday after weighing up the Covid risks - particularly for unvaccinated young people who use the water park - and the expected high financial cost of operating under Covid restrictions.
People seeking reprieve from the rising temperatures will now have to look elsewhere over summer.
Councillor Kevin Watkins said it was not a matter of if but when Covid would land in Hawke's Bay.
![People enjoy the park in better times. Photo / Paul Taylor](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/4BTO2GITEN537MOJ35THAQAMKE.jpg?auth=c1dce4333a658306680072e5bbc3d2200f39671aaa203faf8c0d010d14b6a745&width=16&height=11&quality=70&smart=true)