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IN BUSINESS RECREATION WORK ON $18 MILLION WEST-SIDE WATER PARK GETS UNDER WAY By Jackie Valley staff writer For seven years, valley residents have hankered for a big-league aquatics playground to replace the Wet 'n Wild water park on the Strip that entertained locals and tourists alike before closing in 2004. The dry spell is coming to an end. Splash Canyon, two years in the planning, is under construction on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley and targeted to open on Memorial Day. The $18-million water park, near Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads, is financed and will employ about 500 seasonal workers, the builder says. Competing developers are pursuing plans to build a similar facility on the other side of the valley, in Henderson, pending financing and final city approval. Both are targeted for locals. The 25-acre Splash Canyon will feature 20 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, water playground and toddler pool, among other amenities. It will accommodate 5,000 people and will be alcohol-free. "As third-generation natives, we really wanted to build something that was for the community, for families," said Roger Bulloch, co-founder and managing principal of SPB Partners, the developer and owner. "As we started this process, we said, 'What can we do to rebuild a sense of community in this valley?'" Daily admission to Splash Canyon Waterpark will range from $22 to $30, with season passes starting at $99 for a limited time. Competing developers want to build a 22-acre water park in Henderson that RECREATION DEVELOPERS UNVEIL PLANS FOR HENDERSON AQUATICS PARK By Aida Ahmed staff writer Developers have plans to build a 22- acre water park in Henderson that would open next summer and feature a mix of attractions.. Project developer Shawn Hassett told the Henderson Planning Commission on Nov. 10 that his company was in the final stages of putting financing together and would not start the project until the money was in place. The commission approved a conditional use permit to Vegas Residential LLC and ordered a design study for the proposed park at Galleria Drive and Gibson Road. With the city's go-ahead, the 12 attraction could be open as early as summer 2012, Hassett said. Since the closing of Wet 'n Wild on the Strip, the valley has lacked a water park, Hassett said. "There aren't really that many options for good, wholesome family entertainment," said Hassett, a nine- year resident of Henderson. "It will be a huge benefit to the community." The proposed park would be located near Union Village, a $1.5 billion medical, retail and residential complex. It would include a lazy river, a wave pool, thrill rides, family water slides and a family play area. There would be about 20 water slides, surrounded by restaurants, cabanas and volleyball courts. "We want to introduce some new rides and some favorites and classics rides," Hasett said. In the past, Hassett has been involved with several projects locally and out of state, working extensively on the financing for one of the Panorama Towers near the Strip. His partner Ben Howell worked for Del Webb, building hundreds of homes in the valley, and also worked in the pool industry for more than 15 years. One of the other members of the development team, Don McCrary, has designed and developed 30 to 40 water parks, and the former general manager of Wet 'n Wild will also help develop the park. After the economy took a plunge, Hassett said, he pulled out of developing, until he found a decently priced piece of land for the water park. "A water park is something that has always been on our mind," Hassett said. "The challenge is that land prices were so expensive, so it didn't make sense. In the last 12 months, prices are more realistic." He declined to disclose how much the company paid for the land. The planning commission expressed concerns about traffic and noise. | 21 NOVEMBER 2011 | Hughes, which, in turn, will build an adjacent community park and indoor aquatics center as part of the project master plan. Design and engineering is under way for a possible 15-acre expansion of the water park, bringing the total size to 40 acres, Bulloch said. SPB Partners began working on the project more than two years ago, enlisting the help of other water park developers, conducting feasibility studies and making site views. Harvest Family Entertainment, a Dallas-based company that oversees other water parks, invested in the project and will manage Splash Canyon. Developers see the attraction as a COURTESY SPLASH CANYON OASIS: A cartoon map depicts the Splash Canyon water park, under construction near Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads. would open next summer and feature 20 water slides, thrill rides, a lazy river, restaurants and cabanas. (See story below.) Shawn Hassett told the Henderson Planning Commission last week that his company is putting financing together and will not start the project until the money is in place. The commission approved a conditional use permit and ordered a design study for the proposed park at Galleria Drive and Gibson Road. "There aren't really that many options for good, wholesome family entertainment," said Hassett, a nine- year resident of Henderson. "It will be a huge benefit to the community." The proposed park would be located near Union Village, a proposed $1.5 billion medical, retail and residential complex. SPB, Splash Canyon's developer, would like to build other water parks across the valley and is considering sites in Henderson and North Las Vegas, Bulloch said. In addition to a seven-story speed slides, a headfirst mat racer and other thrill rides, Splash Canyon will offer private cabanas, a large picnic area, more than 1,000 lounge chairs and cooling misters. The project is a partnership with The Howard Hughes Corp., the developers of Summerlin who own the land originally designated for a community park. SPB Partners signed a long-term lease with "sanctuary for moms with young kids," while providing a venue for community groups all year, Bulloch said. "We want this to be a locals water park," he said. "We want the entire valley to come here. That's why we put it here. We're 20 minutes from everywhere in the valley." Despite the recession, attendance has increased at other water parks operated by Harvest Family Entertainment, said Steve Mayer, vice president of Harvest Family Entertainment and general manager of Splash Canyon. "In the end, people still want to have good fun with (their) family," Mayer said. "Also, it's a way to stay close to home." Mayer said he expects Splash Canyon to attract about 5,000 visitors a day, resulting in upward of 400,000 customers each season. Splash Canyon will be open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.