Chessington World of Adventures says its proposed water park would be an “affordable” visitor attraction and the first of its kind within the M25.
Merlin Entertainments, which owns Chessington, plans to build a water park housing wave pools, infinity pools, waterslides, an aqua play area, a beach area, a splash pad, and a lazy river and adventure river.
Kingston Council’s south of the borough neighbourhood committee discussed the plans on 11 October, Surrey Live reports.
At the meeting, Simon Burge, strategic development director at Chessington, said: “Theme parks need to invest in order to continue to attract visitors and to stay competitive. Where there are periods of no investment, we have seen significant periods where we’ve dropped our visitation levels to points where it has made the operation of the business questionable back in the early 2000s.”
“There is currently no water park within the M25 so this would be a first for London and for the Greater London borough as well – a real strong thing to aspire to, and to create an affordable option that competes with a Center Parcs offering.”
Unlike Center Parcs, Chessington’s water park would be available to visitors with day passes as well as hotel guests, Burge said.
Water park to compete with Center Parcs
Chessington submitted its plans for a “unique and immersive water park experience” in the summer after holding a public consultation last year. If the plans are approved, the park could open as soon as 2025.
Earlier this year, the world’s first Jumanji-themed land opened at Chessington. The £17 million ‘World of Jumanji’ land features three new rides, including the world’s first Jumanji-themed coaster.
Mandrill Mayhem by Bolliger & Mabillard is a winged, launched, shuttle roller coaster offering Chessington’s first inversion.
World of Jumanji is the single largest investment in Chessington‘s history.
Images courtesy of FaulknerBrowns / Merlin
