Sunshine waterparks race to open

Village Roadshow has announced it will spend up to $70 million to buy the 24ha Aussie World site on the Sunshine Coast, and turn it into a state-of-the-art waterpark. Village Roadshow owns Warner Village Theme Parks which includes the Gold Coast’s Wet’n’Wild waterpark.

 

The new waterpark is to be called Wet’n’Wild Sunshine Coast. It is anticipated the revamped park will employ up to 300 people. This is the second recent waterpark proposal for the area, after an application was lodged by Adventura Waterpark to build a $110 million waterpark at Caloundra. However, the parks are in close proximity of each other, raising questions about the viability of two waterparks in the area. Village believes they have the advantage, as the Aussie World site has existing infrastructure, is zoned for entertainment and has an on-site spring, providing a ready source of potable water.

 

It is anticipated Wet’n’Wild Sunshine Coast will have 10 new water rides including an uphill water roller coaster and a tornado bowl slide. It is expected to be opened in time for the 2009/2010 summer season. Adventura Waterpark believes it will be first out of the blocks, however, remaining on track for a mid-2009 opening.