Waterpark News
Optimistic outlook for 2012 season
ALEATHA EZRA O
ne of the hot topics at the
World Waterpark Association’s annual symposium last October was the forecast for the 2012 season and whether or not the economic downturn has fi nally started to shiſt back toward a more optimistic outlook for lei- sure facilities, both in the US and in key regions throughout the world. To offer attendees some insight on
this area, the WWA welcomed keynote speaker, Peter Ricchiuti, fi nance profes- sor and assistant dean at the Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. Ricchiuti shed light and perspective on where the fi nancial markets are currently
“Many parks are planning major
expansion for the 2012 seasons following a strong 2011”
and what forecasts look like for the next few years. “We’re not going into a dou- ble dip recession,” he said. “T e next 12-18 months show favorable indicators for the leisure industry. T e leisure industry is in the sweet spot,” he said. According to Ricchiuti, the leisure mar-
ket is in a unique position because “the amount of market growth and the price of gas is just where it needs to be to encour- age discretionary spending on leisure activities and staycations.” T anks in part to this economic shiſt
and a strong 2011 season, many water leisure operators have announced plans for major expansion or attraction addi- tions for the 2012 season. Reinvestment in parks shows that operators are feeling confi dent and that performance indicators show solid growth potential. In addition, large new waterpark proj-
ects are scheduled to come online this year in China, Abu Dhabi, T ailand, the United States and many other regions.
Aleatha Ezra, membership manager, World Waterpark Association
10 US$18m waterpark for Las Vegas
The new US$18m (£11.5m, €13.5m) Splash Canyon Waterpark, a 25-acre (10-hect- are) development in Las Vegas, US, is expected to open in May 2012. Construction work has
already commenced on- site, with the scheme led by a public-private partnership including SPB Partners; Clark County; and The Howard Hughes Corporation. A large ‘surfable’ wave
pool; a three-slide complex with multi-rider tube slides; a children’s water playground; and a 1,000ſt (305m) lazy river will comprise the fi rst phase of the park. A large slide complex with speed slides and
T e park will include a slide complex with speed slides and mat racer
Canyon expand to cover a 40-acre (16-hect- are) area. Harvest Family Entertainment will operate the theme park. SPB Partners principal Roger Bulloch said:
a six-lane mat racer; a four-storey RainFortress playground; and private cabanas are also pro- posed in stage one of the development. Meanwhile, a second phase will see Splash
“As third generation Las Vegas residents, my brother and business partner Scott and I have long recognised a hunger for wholesome fam- ily entertainment in our community.”
Waterpark planned for Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida, the Merlin Entertainments-operated attraction which opened its doors for the first time in October (see mystery shop- per on p38) has announced its fi rst expansion plans. A new Legoland Water
Park is to be built as part of the project, which is due for completion by mid-2012 and will comprise a wave pool and a 1,000ſt (305m) Build-A-Raſt lazy river. Twin chasers will see friends ride tubes down an intertwining pair of 375ſt (114m) enclosed waterslides, while Splash Out involves a 60ſt (18m) drop down slides into water below. Joker Soaker will provide an interactive
playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides, while Duplo Safari will
T e waterpark expansion was announced shortly aſt er Legoland opened
provide a water play area designed for toddlers. T e waterpark will join the other attractions including T e Beginning at Legoland Florida, which spans 150 acres (60.7 hectares) at the former Cypress Gardens theme park site.
Indoor waterpark resort opens in Peurunka, Finland
A €12.4m (£10.2m, US$15.7) resort boasting both a spa and indoor waterpark has opened in Peurunka, central Finland. Kylpylähotelli ja Kuntoutus Peurunka tar-
gets families and its space-themed indoor waterpark includes the longest waterslide in
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Scandinavia (at 130m/426ſt ), a range of water- based “fun stations”, a 100m (328ſt ) lazy river, swimming pools and a range of saunas - including Finnish, steam and infrared. T e resort has a 200-bedroom hotel and also off ers accommodation in luxury cottages.
AM 1 2012 ©cybertrek 2012
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