Cape officials take plunge to dedicate new Sun Splash slides; $5 water park admissions today and Sunday
Friday, Sun Splash was unstoppable.
The threat of wildfires, nor the threat of rain could deter the ceremonial grand opening of the water park’s three brand new slides. City officials past and present came out to give thanks and give the slides a try.
Mayor Eric Feichthaler called the opening of the slides a “real exciting time” for the city, and acknowledged the work of previous city councils for their diligence in shaping Sun Splash Family Waterpark into the success it is today.
The mayor also had a great time racing down the “Terror Tube,” one of the three new slides.
“I haven’t been on a slide in 20 years, but it was a lot of fun.” Feichthaler said.
He added that the opening of the slides will keep Sun Splash modern, and most importantly, fun.
“What’s the biggest attraction in Cape Coral?” he asked. “The canals are great but the water park brings people from all over. (Hopefully) we’ll be able to make the park a tourist attraction.”
Councilman Eric Grill echoed the mayor’s sentiments about the water park’s potential as a serious attraction for those outside of the Cape.
“For the price of a single Disney ticket you can bring your entire family to Sun Splash,” Grill said, adding that the new slides mean a bigger turn around for park attendance. The three new slides boost the attendance by an extra 335 people each day.
“You could only get so many people in the park (before the slides).” Grill said.
Grill joined Feichthaler and former city councilman AJ Boyd in the ceremonial plunge. They ran a three man race. Boyd came out on top, wearing a tuxedo.
“It was good, it was wet,” Boyd said of his plunge down The X-celerator. “I told the staff if they get this done I’d go down in a tux. They held up their end of the bargain so I’m holding up mine. I was probably drunk that night.”
City Councilmember Dolores Bertolini credited Boyd’s vision of utilizing and expanding Sun Splash, though at the time she thought he was “nuts.” She thanked the former councilman for his diligence.
“Thank you for bringing this attraction,” she told Boyd. “In time, this park is really going to pay for itself.”
Families took great advantage of the free admission for the day. The park was filled to capacity by the time the grand opening got under way. And people cheered on the three men in the “splash zone,” as they raced down to victory lane.
Michelle Dean from the Parks and Rec Department warned that families should show up early on Saturday and Sunday, as she expects the park to again be filled to capacity because of the reduced admission of $5.
When the park reaches capacity, no more admissions are sold.
Sun Splash Family Waterpark will be open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information call 239-574-0558.