Two popular Mississippi Coast beach resorts end public access to pools. Here’s why.
The swimming pools at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi and Centennial Plaza in Gulfport are again limited to hotel guests and not open to the public, but other weekend activities will replace the water fun.
The changes come after a 2-year old drowned at the Margaritaville pool May 22. The child’s family, who was from Louisiana, was staying at the resort.
Lodging & Leisure Investments operates both resorts. The pool at Margaritaville was open to the public for a fee on Friday nights and the Centennial Plaza pool was open on Sundays during the summer.
“Due to an influx of reservations during our summer season, we are canceling our Sunday Pool Parties to keep all our guests comfortable and safe,” the company posted on the Centennial Plaza Facebook page.
“Our fun things are still happening,” said Tessy Lambert, spokeswoman for the resorts.
The Friday night pool party at Margaritaville Biloxi also is canceled, but the summer events continue every weekend through Labor Day.
A fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. every Friday during the summer at Margaritaville.
Friday Night Fun with a live DJ Fridays is from 9 p.m. until midnight in the Family Entertainment Center. Also scheduled every Friday is karaoke on the Margaritaville Cafe stage from 8-11 p.m.
The public is welcome at The Blue Marlin restaurant overlooking the beach at Centennial Plaza and the wine bar at Grand Centennial Plaza. Customers have a chance to win free tickets Friday nights to the Alan Jackson concert on June 24 at the Coast Coliseum.
Special events are held at the resort throughout the year and Centennial Plaza is Cruise Central for Cruisin’ The Coast the first week in October. It also will host the first Gumbo Fest Nov. 19 with the City of Gulfport and Chandeleur Island Brewing Company.
This story was originally published May 31, 2022 at 1:07 PM.
