Water park set for soft opening May 30

Posted: Friday, Apr 25, 2008 - 10:14:17 pm PDT
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By ROBERT DEANE
Hagadone News Network 

Courtesy photo Workers build on the water parks central feature, "Miners Island" which will host a multi-level play structure for people of all ages and the Lazy River 520-foot passive water way that circles the island through the park for adults to relax on single or two person rafts.

KELLOGG -- As a preview of the grand opening of the addition to its Gondola Village, Silver Mountain Resort hosted a preview tour of the Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park Friday, April 25.

The preview was for media and VIP guests invited to take a tour of the still-under-construction park with Silver Rapids Water Park, manager Chris Stuart and the resort's real estate specialist Mark Needles who conducted a tour of the condominiums.

Chris Stuart explained how the park would offer something for everyone and is excited to be in the area.

"We have all the components of a large outdoor park all condensed into an 42,000-square-foot indoor water park open 365 days a year with an air temperature of 84 degrees," Stuart said.

Stuart felt it was important for everyone to realize that water parks are not just for good swimmers.

"All the water is 4 feet deep or under so really everyone can enjoy the park," Stuart said. "The major feature when entering the park is the 'Miners Island.'"

Stuart described the island as an interactive water jungle gym with many interactive activities from two water slides, and several different levels of activities. The island is surrounded by a lazy river that is a passive ride around the park for parents who can also lounge by the polywog pond for toddlers that is complete with bubblers and misters.

The most exciting feature of the park is the giant tower that encloses three enclosed fiber glass water slides, he said.

"Two of them start outside and come back inside that can be rode by single individuals or couples and a family slide called the 'Moose Sluice,'" Stuart said. "The Moose Sluice can be ridden by the entire family (up to four people) which is one of my favorites."

The Moose Sluice Stuart added would also feature a conveyor system for the heavy family rafting tubes which would be too heavy to be carried to the top of the slide.

An interesting feature to the park, Stuart said, would be the "FlowRider Surf Wave," that simulates a surfing wave and gives the illusion that the person surfing is going 35 miles an hour while surging 60,000 gallons of water per minute that is safe while providing thrills for those who look to ride the waves.

"The FlowRider will be covered by a 1-inch-thick foam covering that will protect surfers if they fall," Stuart said. "There will also be a divider to allow multiple surfers to ride the waves."

Stuart added surface of the FlowRider is made of a high-tension fabric that the water will flow over at an angle creating the waves for the rider.

Stuart said the whole construction has been an intense process due to the difficulty of the construction of the different features of the park.

The park, Stuart said, has also prioritized safety with the park focusing on the primary causes for accidents in water parks, "slips and falls" which made the surface selection a priority.

Other safety features the park will have is a balance tank system that allows no suction in any of the guest areas and filtration systems that will keep all of the pools safe from contaminates with a decontamination system that exceeds state standards that include a bleach and UV cleansing system.

"There is also a water recycling system so water is reused and not wasted," Stuart said.

Among the other features the park will have are snack bars and a second-floor mezzanine that overlooks the water park. The mezzanine will offer a "wet bar" and hot tubs for guests to enjoy a cool drink while watching the goings on in the park and the FlowRider. There will also be a family hot tub to go with the mezzanine hot tubs and cabanas that can be rented.

"The water park is designed for the lodge but we will have opportunities for locals and community groups on certain days," said Stuart, adding those details will be worked out at a later time. Silver Rapids is set to have a soft opening May 30 with the grand opening coming in early June.