Plenty of Options to Beat the Heat in Southeast Missouri

There is only one word to describe Southeast Missouri in the summertime. HOT. It can get so hot that it is almost impossible enjoy being outdoors. What is a Southeast Missourian to do in 95 degree weather with humidity making it feel like 105 degrees out? There is the easy answer of staying by air conditioning. There are multiple swimming pools throughout the region from which to choose to spend a day. By May 2010, Cape Girardeau will have a new choice to offer: the new waterpark.

Dan Muser of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation says, "The idea of a waterpark and family aquatic center began 24 years ago when concerns about Capaha pool was being discussed and our department began to research the idea of a replacement. This was when the concept of municipal waterparks and family aquatic centers was hitting the St. Louis area and we saw what was going on there and knew that this was the future of municipal aquatic recreation instead of building the conventional rectangular pool."

Hopefully the waterpark will reach more than just those living in Cape Girardeau. "The waterpark will without a doubt bring users from all over the region into Cape Girardeau. This will obviously provide one more attraction to bring in tourism to Cape Girardeau. The other benefit will be to keep users here instead of going elsewhere to use this type of recreation activity. All of this will boost the local economy as well as providing a great boost to the quality of life in Cape Girardeau," according to Muser.

Is water not your idea of fun? Maybe settling down with a good book is the way to go. Jackson and Cape Girardeau both have new, renovated libraries to choose from. Nancy Howard is the Director of Jackson's Riverside Regional Library. The library has recently moved to a new location. "We moved to a much-needed larger location (over twice the square footage) because we were bursting at the seams at the old library." Riverside now offers more space for additional books, reference materials, reading tables, and public computers. There is a teen room for ages 12-18 with computer access and video games.

She also says, "We have a larger program room, so we hope to offer more and more library-sponsored programs in the future, as staff, volunteers, and budget allow. The Cape County Library Board members (Linda Sebaugh, Steve Burk, Jo Ann Hahs, Tom Gross, and Kathy Panagos) were instrumental in getting this new building for the library, and landlord, Jim Maevers, remodeled the building to our specifications and delight. We invite everyone to Riverside Regional Library."

Betty Martin is the Director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library. This library has recently been renovated and expanded. It now offers additional meeting spaces for non-profits, three study rooms, additional computers for the public, separate spaces for youth, teens, adults and genealogists, self-check stations, a drive-up window, and lots of comfortable seating.

Whether you enjoy summertime or look forward to those leaves changing colors, Southeast Missouri offers everyone opportunities to help stay cool and enjoy the season! Maybe with new attractions, people won't focus on the temperature and humidity as much. They'll only notice they are having a lot of summer fun!