Facebook
Fark
Digg
Reddit
Stumble
Courtesy Splash Canyon
A cartoon map depicting the Splash Canyon water park.
By Jackie Valley (contact) 
Published Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 | 3:56 p.m.
Updated Monday, Nov. 14, 2011 | 7:34 p.m.
Las Vegas plans for new swim park
Viewing video requires the latest version of Adobe's Flash Player
KSNV coverage of the swim park developing in the Summerlin area, Nov. 14, 2011.
The developers of a water park on the west side of the Las Vegas Valley started selling advance season tickets today for Splash Canyon, 25 acres of slides and pools expected to draw 5,000 people a day.
The park is under construction and is targeted to open Memorial Day 2012.
“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?’”
Their answer: a family-friendly, alcohol-free water play zone featuring 20 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, water playground and toddler pool, among other amenities.
Daily admission to Splash Canyon Waterpark will range from $22 to $30, with season passes available for as little as $99 on special.
Since the old Wet ’n Wild water park on the Las Vegas Strip closed in 2004, some people have been clamoring for a new park.
In the last week, major developments have been announced on two parks.
Another developer is now proposing a 22-acre park in Henderson, near Galleria Drive and Gibson Road. Financing for that project has not been secured, but the Henderson Planning Commission on Thursday granted a conditional use permit.
And if all goes well, SPB envisions opening other water parks across the valley, Bulloch said. It has already looked at potential sites in Henderson and North Las Vegas, he said.
The $18-million Splash Canyon at Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads is fully financed and will employ about 500 seasonal workers.
In addition to the plethora of thrill options — seven-story speed slides or the head-first mat racer — the park will feature private cabanas, a large picnic area, more than 1,000 lounge chairs and misters to keep customers cool.
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 Hughes, which, in turn, will build an adjacent community park and indoor aquatics center as part of the project master plan.
Design and engineering, meanwhile, is under way for an eventual 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 “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 upwards of 400,000 customers each season. Splash Canyon will be open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
Season tickets went on sale today with a special $99 rate for a limited time. Regular season passes will cost $139 per person, with daily admission of $29.99 for those over 4 feet tall. Admission for children under 4 feet tall, seniors (55+) and military members will be $21.99.
Tickets can be purchased through the Splash Canyon Waterpark website.
Looks like a great project, it is funded and underway. Nice to see something new for the families and kids in this Valley.
Will be nice to see the one in Henderson come on line also. There is a need on both sides of this valley for entertainment for families. Compared to the old smaller Wet N Wild the prices they are quoting are pretty decent also.
Vegas is moving forward one step at a time.
It would be awesome to have a Wet N Wild attraction on the strip, but the hotel pools would fight construction, since it would take people away from the strip's various pools. If only the original Wet N Wild didn't close. Man, I miss that place...
I'm loving the idea of a Wet-n-Wild replacement, but I would never buy season tickets or the like until the park was actually built. Until then, you are just another sucker waiting for a dream....
Selling tickets before the park opens? Whoaw! Thats a huge red flag.
I hope one of them builds the new variety of Water Coasters. I hope the new park is state of the art and eliminates some of the drives to SOCAL. Why not add an Amusement Park next door with an extended season and geared to attract some international travelers with children.
Since when is Fort Apache and Warm Springs considered "Summerlin Area?" This reads like a press release.
Wonderful news indeed and it is in Spring Valley in my neck of the woods. I will definitely buy seasonal tickets together with my nephews.
I hope the developers keep seasonal tickets affordable for everyone in the valley. Bravo and thank you!!!!
Let's not demonize alcohol here guys. I can have family fun with a "Daddy Pop". I will buy advance tickets if you change that policy. The mere fact that you are selling advance tickets tells me that you need some help financing the venture. Overpriced beer and watered down cocktails will help it pencil.
Seriously, at 5,000 projected daily visitors assuming 20% of which are responsible adults ready willing and able to consume a cold one, your top line revenue just increased by $900K (1,000 x $5 x 180 days (Apr - Sep) at 50% margin that's $450K in profit.
With that profit you guys can afford to hire more lifeguards to keep my kids safer. 37 in fact assuming $8.25/hr (It's all about the children)
Besides I love my family, but they are so much better after I have had a cold one.
The park may be in summerlin, but this is still vegas.
Management
Mr. Leavitt,
If you look at http://www.summerlin.com/map/ you will see that Warm Springs is the southern line and Fort Apache the western line of Summerlin.
Well you have people who stand outside for an iphone for a week so I guess it's not that surprising...
People really have no lives now a days.
Hmmmm, sounds fishy to me. First of all, why would you be selling advance tickets to something that hasn't even broke ground yet....not a lot of people at the "ceremony" either. I hope it happens, but the odds are against them as developers.
Vegaslee,
Only if by "Summerlin" you mean "Areas that Summerlin would like to build in, if we can only find enough people to buy cookie-cutter homes at $450k a pop."
Even the best movies don't do pre-sells until a week out. Pre selling two seasons before you open is a red flag, you're trying to gauge interest.
Booze at the park sounds like a reasonable move. Dealing with screaming kids all day would drive any parent up the wall. Give me a cocktail stat.
Also, no one would consider Warm Springs and Ft. Apache to be in Summerlin regardless of the map designation. Summerlin starts around north of Lake Mead in my mind and west of the 95.
Keep it alcohol free - The kids need to learn that people CAN have fun WITHOUT a 'cold one' in one hand and then the car keys in the other.
wonder if it will be built by union workers or the illegals we have working on our road projects. hope they e-verify all workeres
$30 a head in this terrible Vegas economy? Maybe they will take food stamps in trade..
"Expected to draw 5,000 people a day?" The water park does not provide sufficient "sanitary facilities" to accommodate that number. The park applied for a received a variance from the Southern Nevada Board of Health to restrict attendance to 1,500 people a day due to this lack. I have copied below sections of the Board's September 22, 2011 minute that address this issue:
Approve Variance Request to Operate a Public Bathing Place not in Compliance
with the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 444.214.1, 444.214.2 and 444.278, Located at The
Waterpark LLC, 7055 S. Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas, NV 89145 (APN: 176-06-701-003).
Petitioner: Scott Bulloch, Owner, The Waterpark LLC; or take other action deemed appropriate
Pertaining to the first item: the owner specifically requests a variance from Nevada
Administrative Code (NAC) 444.214.1, 444.214.2 and 444.278 for the above referenced bodies
of water. The requested variance is for the ability to provide 71% of the minimum required
number of sanitary plumbing facilities. The Waterpark would provide the additional 29%
sanitary plumbing facilities within 24 months of the opening date.
The petitioner states"the proposed bathhouse fixture counts currently accommodate for a
maximum capacity of 950 patrons, which is 550 patrons less than the facility's proposed
capacity of 1,500. Based on operational cost and sustainability of the complex, operating at a
capacity of 950 patrons will be financially detrimental to The Waterpark, and is not a viable
option.
Agree with Summerof69...
GOOD LUCK finding 5000 LOCALS that have $22-$30 per-person (mom & 3 kids; a quick C-note) every day to fill these parks... does not sound realistic.
I'd love to see water parks in Vegas, but these latest proposals seem awfully small. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is 56 acres, for example. Vegas needs an extreme water park!
This waterpark is a great idea and THANK YOU!Las Vegas as a whole needs something like this again since Wet n Wild closed down...And as for being able to "afford" it is a better "deal" to purchase yr passes to get the better, (yes I understand it is expensive)take advantage over the summer months by utilizing it ALLOT, save over the winter, fall months not saying it is easy but if you want to play...you have to "find" a way...It is a great way for the family to spend the day and quality time together...
Where is the water comming from? I suppose the water district will impose another rate hike to cover that cost.
I also hope they keep it cleaner than Wet-n-Wild. Everytime I went to that park, I got sick for 2 weeks.
digger, you forget that people in Las Vegas are flush with cash these days from the housing boom. They'll think nothing of dropping $100 for a couple of hours of fun, then they'll leave so that someone else can go in. Max out their capacity 3 times or so a day, and they'll hit that magic number of 5,000 people.
"a family-friendly, alcohol-free water play zone featuring 20 slides, a wave pool, lazy river, water playground and toddler pool, among other amenities."
You lost me and several other parents at alcohol-free! Even the water park at Knotts sells alcohol. I'll stick with the hotel pools then! 10 dollar entrance, cheaper food and drinks, and cold beer! Won't have to worry about sanitary facilities and closer to home.
Thanks to digger for providing "the rest of the story" regarding the attendance projections. How can the developers claim to expect 5,000 people a day when they've stated for the legal record that the facility's proposed capacity is 1,500? Sounds shady to me.
This report tells us that one park is fully financed, but doesn't say how. Will the developer be reimbursed with any public money?
I'm just glad they are building it in Spring Valley not far from my home in Spring Valley!!! Bravo to the developers and Clark County!!!
Gmag39, i would imagine that LOCALS will take advantage of the season pass, which would pay for itself after four or five visits. Visitors will definitely be willing to spend that type of money during the day, simply because they are already spending that much at night. Its something to cool to do during the hot summer days before they hit the casino for the night!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!