Layout 7 - Inland Empire Community Newspapers
Transcription
Layout 7 - Inland Empire Community Newspapers
IECN7:Layout 7 1/18/12 9:47 AM Page 1 Inland Empire Community Newspapers • January 19, 2012 • Page A7 New owners hope old park makes a splash IECN PHOTO COURTESY PHARAOH’S SPLASH KINGDOM The main feature of the remodeled park will be a 16,000-squarefoot wave pool pictured in this diagram. IECN PHOTO COURTESY PHARAOH’S SPLASH KINGDOM Pharaoh’s operation was leased to Clearwater Development. The company is known for its development and management of waterparks around the country. W By Naima Ford hat was once the popular summer attraction known as Pharoah’s Lost Kingdom became an unlikely rave venue, and then the source of a long legal battle. It is now on the road to returning to its original vision. The water park development company, Clearwater Development, has taken over operations of the park after a 30 operations lease agreement was made between Clearwater and the park’s owner Jim Braswell. The deal was made official on November 1. Braswell still retains ownership of the park but Clearwater has rights to operate and develop the park as it pleases. The new park will be called Pharoah’s Splash Kingdom. “It was an amicable agreement,” said Greg Briggs, president of Pharaoh’s Splash Kingdom and executive at Clearwater. Clearwater specializes in creating water parks around the country. The renaming of the park is the first step in changing the park’s image into a water attraction. The park originally had water attractions including water slides and a wading pool but according to Briggs they are planning to expand those attractions. There will be a lazy river, water playground for children, and the biggest attraction, a 16,000square-foot wave pool. The pool will allow people to surf and play in the water as if it was an ocean. According to Briggs, the company is just following the trend of what it believes is successful. He says that more and more family entertainment centers are becoming water parks and being successful. That is what they are hoping for here. The groundbreaking for the wave pool is planned for June 31, the plan is currently being reviewed by the city of Redlands. The other popular non-water attractions such as the miniature golf course and race track will be replaced by water attractions even- tually. The arcade will also be removed and the dining area will be remodeled. In addition to the attractions, the new operators are planning to host a summer day camp, Splash Kingdom Adventure Camp. The camp will be for children on weekdays. They will have access to the park’s attractions and there will also be a learning component. The current arcade will be turned into an educational learning center where children will learn about the ocean and ocean life. “We have got a lot to offer our young people,” said Briggs. According to Briggs they are working to make the camp affordable to all families as well as the park’s other attractions. The water park will officially open in May for the summer season, that will also be the official opening of the wave pool. Pharaoh’s Splash Kingdom is located at 1101 N California St. in Redlands. For more information call (909) 335-7275. B NSF con tr i but es $1 5 ,0 0 0 to l oca l co mm u ni ty IECN PHOTO COURTESY PHARAOH’S SPLASH KINGDOM The majority of Pharaoh’s Splash Kingdom will be developed into a water park. Pictured here is the park’s lazy river. V Vo lunte er s nee de d f or Acade mic D ecathlo n olunteers for judging and proctoring events for the annual San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon competition are needed for the Jan. 28 and Feb. 4. The event, which pits high school teams countywide in a series of subject areas, will be held at Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools coordinates the event for the participating county high schools. On Jan. 28, judges are needed for the interview and speech competitions. An orientation will be held the morning of the event for the judges. On Feb. 4, proctors are needed to monitor written exams, as well as to monitor and verify scores in the Super Quiz. Orientations also will be held prior to those events for the proctors. To volunteer for the Academic Decathlon, contact Dottie Bryant in the County Schools’ Student Events office by phone at (909) 386-2630 or via email at dottie_bryant@sbcss.k12.ca.us. Sunday Morning Service 10 a.m. Hutton Center, 660 Colton Ave, Colton, CA 92324 A IECN PHOTO COURTESY AUW (L-R) Kenneth Johnson, Director of Administration, BNSF; Knea Hawley, VP Resource Development, Arrowhead United Way; Leif Smith, General Director Transportation, BNSF, rrowhead United Way (AUW) received a $15,000 corporate gift from Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway to help fund critical programs in the local community. AUW and BNSF are longtime partners and have a strong working relationship. Kenneth Johnson currently serves on the Board of Directors of AUW, as have other BNSF employees for many years. This contribution goes above and beyond the campaign dollars that are raised on an annual basis through BNSF em- ployees. AUW will use the gift to fund programs to assist the local area’s underserved population in education, income, and health. The education programs improve access to education and promote academic success. The income programs bring financial stability by assisting with basic needs, job placement programs, and financial education. The health programs increase awareness about health risks, improve access to healthcare, and encourage healthy behavior. Pastor Frank Sanchez Special Event : Inductive Bible Study Seminar. Learning to study your Bible for all it's worth! Taught by Pastor Dan Finfrock Thursday Nights, 7-9 p.m. February 9, 16, & 23, 2012 Frank Gonzales Center, 670 Colton Ave. Colton, CA 92324 More information: ph. 909 272-7322 email: ccfcolton@aol.com