WET N WILD NOT TO REOPEN IN 2020

BY GABRIELLE

The popular waterpark Wet n Wild in North Shields has announced it will not reopen in 2020.

Owners of the waterpark have said the site is not longer financially viable. Wet n Wild’s current operator, Serco Leisure, is reviewing future plans for the waterpark.

Wet n Wild opened in 1993. In 2013, the waterslide complex went into administration. The following year Secro Leisure took over the management of the waterpark and invested in the site, with a refurbished café, reception, children’s Discovery Play Island, new boiler system and pool plant area.

Due to poor visitor numbers outside of the school holidays and weekends, Secro Leisure said it has been accruing significant financial losses each year.

Simon Bailey, managing director at Serco Leisure, said: “I know the special place that Wet n Wild holds in the hearts of people in North Shields and the wider region and recognise that this announcement will come as a disappointment to many.

“Since taking over operation of the waterpark in 2014, Serco Leisure has explored every avenue to make the park a viable operation but regrettably we cannot continue to sustain the level of financial losses that we are experiencing.

“This has forced us to make the difficult and regrettable decision not to reopen in 2020, while we consider all options for the future of the site,” Bailey added.

PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR UK’S LARGEST INDOOR WATERPARK TO BE BUILT IN BOURNEMOUTH

BY GABRIELLE

Plans have been announced for a £75m waterpark and luxury spa to be constructed in Bournemouth, which would be the largest indoor waterpark in the UK.

The Elysium Bournemouth waterpark will be able to accommodate over 4,000 visitors each day and will attract more than 1 million guests annually.

The site will stretch over 75 acres not far from Bournemouth, Poole, New Forest and Christchurch. The indoor waterpark will have a tropical paradise theme and will be located inside one of the UK’s largest free-standing glass domes.

Technology is planned to be at the heart of Elysium Bournemouth, with attractions equipped with virtual reality and augmented reality. The resort will also be home to transparent flumes.

Asides a high-tech waterpark, the site will feature a luxury wellness and beauty spa with a sauna, message, hammam spas and beauty treatments.

There will also be outdoor nature attractions at the waterpark, with a lake, country garden, outdoor seating and nature walks.

There may also be a hotel and eco lodges enabling guests to stay overnight at the new waterpark and luxury spa resort.

Costa Acodrinesei, founder of Elysium Waterpark, commented:

“This is something very spectacular, it’s a very big vision but I know we can do it.

“I want it to be something for the whole community and for everyone to get behind it.”

GREAT WOLF RESORTS PLANS ITS FIRST UK INDOOR WATERPARK

BY GABRIELLE

Great Wolf Resorts, the chain of indoor waterpark operators headquartered in Chicago, has announced plans to develop a waterpark, adventure park, hotel and more in Chesterton and Bicester in Oxfordshire.

Named the Great Wolf Lodge, the expansive waterpark will feature slides, pools and other attractions.

The waterpark will extend an area of 8,800 square metres and will have water fumes protruding from the roof of the building.

Asides the extensive indoor waterpark, the resort will be home to a four-storey hotel featuring themed rooms and an adventure park with mini golf, rope courses, a climbing wall, bowling arcade games and a ‘mystical quest game.’

The project will be designed by London-based architects, EPR.

Construction for the Great Wolf Lodge is due to begin in 2020, with the grand opening of the resort scheduled for 2022.

Great Wolf Resorts also plans to build a $200 million waterpark and 44-acre lodge in Maryland, which is also set to open in 2022.