Wet ‘n’ Wild said to be on pace for Memorial Day weekend opening

Most of the necessary infrastructure is in place for Wet ’n’ Wild water park to open Memorial Day weekend in the southwest Las Vegas Valley, the park’s general manager said Wednesday.

More than 25 slides and water rides are taking shape at the 41-acre, $50 million recreational development near Fort Apache and Warm Springs roads. The 17,000-square-foot wave pool and lazy river have been excavated, with wall formations and plumbing in varying stages of completion.

General contractor Ledcor Construction has finished general grading and installation of utilities, including water, sewer and storm drains. Foundations for the main administration building, food and beverage service and restrooms have been excavated and poured.

The water park has taken more than 20,000 applications for an estimated 300 to 500 seasonal jobs, Wet ’n’ Wild general manager Takuya Ohki said.

“Las Vegas has 50 percent teen unemployment,” Ohki said. “I didn’t think it was that bad until we opened the lid and everyone wants a job. It’s a great environment. All we want is a smile and great attitude.”

A public contest was held to name the giant wave pool, to be known as Red Rock Bay. Other attractions include the 57-foot Hoover Half Pipe, Rattler water slide and Colorado Cooler lazy river.

Single-day tickets to the park are $40 general admission, and $30 for children shorter than 42 inches and seniors 65 and older. Season passes are available for $75, with a discount for four or more.

Ohki recommends buying summer passes before prices go up. Passes were $90 to $100 at the former Wet ’n’ Wild on the Strip. He said he’s selling 100 to 150 passes a day.

Wet ’n’ Wild Las Vegas is a joint venture among The Howard Hughes Corp., owner of the land; local investors Roger and Scott Bulloch, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, and Steven and Karen Thomas; and Australia-based Village Road Show, one of the largest theme park operators in the world.

It was originally scheduled to open last year as Splash Canyon.

Another water park, Cowabunga Bay, announced it would open this summer in Henderson, near the Galleria at Sunset mall. The Utah-based developer of Cowabunga started work on the 23-acre park in December. It will hire about 350 to 400 seasonal employees.

Requests for comment on Cowabunga Bay’s progress were not returned.

Cowabunga Bay takes its design and inspiration from the surf and beach scenes of the 1950s and ’60s. Attractions include the Beach Blanket Banzai giant water slide, Surf-A-Rama wave pool and Wild Surf raft drop. Daily admission will be $35 for adults and $28 for children shorter than 48 inches.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.