Hattip to Downtown Fort Wayne Baseball: Fort Splish Splash for finding this…
A study by consultant Weston Johnson, of Conventions Sports & Leisure, found a large water park would have a high likelihood of attracting tourists, would have a high economic impact and was more likely to be a private venture.
The study included mostly sports and recreation venues.None of the other facilities Johnson reviewed – 25- and 50-meter indoor pools; small water park; ice-skating facility; gymnasium; YMCA facility; and museum or art gallery – likely would be as successful, according to the study.
The study specifically mentions a “large outdoor water park.” I personally don’t feel this would be a good fit for the area as it would be viable for only three months a year. It’s vacancy the remaining nine months, could be an “eye-sore” for the area. Exposed water slides and pools during the off season would not integrate well with the neighborhood. Further, the lack of activity during this time conveys an image of hibernation – a city asleep, rather than a vibrant, growing community.
An Indoor Waterpark, specifically themed for Fort Wayne makes sense to me.
I think either way it’s a losing proposition. I don’t think people are interested in swimming much during the winter. And those who are would likely only visit on the weekends so for 4 days a week the place will be sitting empty.
And during the summer when people would be likely to visit on weekdays they would probably rather be outside enjoying the nice weather.
I just don’t think it will work in this community but if somebody is willing to step up and privately finance such a venture then so be it.
But for some reason a bunch of consultants and local residents sitting around deciding what other people should invest their money in just strikes me as silly…
Silly? Perhaps. Here’s my perspective.
1.) As an insurance agent I’m required to attend continuing ed seminars for 2 1/2 days each year. I specifically look for conferences where I may take my family. Traditionally, I choose the Potawatomi Inn in the Fall BECAUSE my kids want to go swimming and they have a pool. We stay in the hotel, eat in the local restaurants and spend time together as a family. While I’m attending classes, the kids swim (God bless my dear wife) and visit other attractions in the area.
2. An OUTDOOR waterpark would be redundant – many of the local parks already have water features so there’s no need to duplicate what we already have. I would rather go to an outdoor waterpark in the summer months as well.
3. I’m in complete agreement that such a venture must be privately funded. There is a proper role for government and that does not include owning/maintaining a waterpark. That said, I believe private financiers are more inclined to invest when they know there is a ground-swell of public support, because they, rather than elected officials have specifically asked for it.
I don’t disagree with anything you said Dave.
I guess my point is why do we need a consultant to tell us what should be built? Are they going to put their money where their mouth is? If somebody thinks a waterpark would be a successful venture then they will build one.
I just don’t get the concept of government consultants pointing private business in the “right” direction. THAT is the part I find silly. This was the same group of consultants that were paid to tell us that we couldn’t support two baseball stadiums. I mean does the city really need to pay for common sense?
Jeff,
I can’t disagree with your points either.
Unfortunately, I think consultants have replaced the “will of the people.” They’ve filled a void left by our own apathy, cynicism, and complacency, much of which is well-founded. I’m encouraged by the renewed interest of area residents as well as the leadership shown by the Richard administration in creating the North River Task Force.
Perhaps all of these ideas will fall upon deaf ears – the consultants will propose something else and the City move ahead on their own. Until then, I’m holding on to hope that the public can be energized by a vision that our leaders cannot disregard, at least completely.
First off Dave, thanks for creating this blog. It is great for citizens to be able to give their input on this project.
I am formally a proponent of an indoor/outdoor water park. I think it would be a huge draw for regional visitors. I was recently in Battle Creek, MI for my brother’s baseball tournament, and they have a gem of a facility up there. Here is the website so you can check it out.
http://www.fullblast.org/jsps/activities.jsp#
My ideal facility would be something like this, along with a large arcade (such as a GameWorks). I could see this type of a project as changing the face of Fort Wayne, and drawing thousands of people monthly. We already draw thousands of people into our area for basketball tourneys at Spiece fieldhouse, baseball tourneys, and Soccer tourneys (Ft. Wayne Invitational). This would give those “weekend visitors” something to do!
Thanks Joe for sharing the vision!