Idlewild & SoakZone set to reopen July 11

While Kennywood and Sandcastle park officials postponed reopenings due to the rise in positive coronavirus cases in Allegheny County, Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township will open its gates to the general public as scheduled on July 11.

Jeff Croushore, director of marketing at Idlewild and SoakZone, said the park’s top priority is guest safety, noting the park will have mask requirements, temperature checks and ensure social distancing. He’s expecting smaller crowds than normal due to the reduced capacity and operating hours.

Idlewild is an integral part of tourism in the Laurel Highlands and its delayed opening had a negative effect on the local economy.

David Cassler, owner and chef at Carol and Dave’s Roadhouse in nearby Ligonier, said the past few months have been “awful” and that Idlewild’s reopening should bring in more revenue for the restaurant.

Cassler explained that most of the restaurant’s revenue usually comes from the summer months and will last them through the winter.

“I made 56% in the month of June of what I had last year,” Cassler said. “I don’t know if small businesses will make it through the winter because we rely on money (from the summer). We get sales from Idlewild and now we don’t even have Fort Ligonier Days.”

He said during a normal summer, the restaurant gets a lot of families in for dinner after a day at Idlewild. He is not counting on that this year.

“It’s not going to be what it normally is coming from Idlewild,” Cassler said. “I have a feeling everyone will pack their lunches and go home afterwards.”

He hopes his fears are proven wrong.

“I hope they do come to downtown (Ligonier),” Cassler said. “The shops need the business and so do the restaurants.”

Julie Donovan, director of marking and public relations for Fort Ligonier, said that Idlewild’s reopening will benefit the whole Laurel Highlands region.

“[Tourists] visit multiple sites, not just one destination,” Donovan said. “We encourage our visitors to go to other amusement areas, historic sites and museums.”

Donovan believes the reopening will be beneficial for families.

“I think that families are so desperately looking for activities,” Donovan said. “We are thrilled that a family that would go to Idlewild would also be interested in learning about early American history.”

Briana Tomack, president of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, believes that Idlewild’s opening “will be good for the merchants” and for the local economy.

“There’s still a lot of fear out there,” Tomack said, “[but] more people are comfortable attending things outside.

“I grew up going to Idlewild,” Tomack said. “I hope they get some good business for the rest of the summer.”