By Tim Hawk
In early 2022, surrounded by the cold January air, developer Bart Blatstein announced to a large crowd gathered under an enclosed heated tent that by the summer of 2023 people would be frolicking in a new $100 million waterpark.
ISLAND Waterpark would be built on the vacant lot alongside The Showboat Resort where Blatstein stood with Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and other local dignitaries during the groundbreaking ceremony for the non-casino attraction.
Fast forward 17 months later Blatstein, CEO of Tower Investments, Inc. and owner of Showboat, made true on his promise and welcomed VIPs and media for a sneak peek into the “largest indoor beachfront waterpark in the world” during a preview celebration last Thursday night.
“Some thought this would never happen, some wondered why it should happen,” said Blatstein during a short speech before cutting the tied-together braids of two mermaids — an island twist on the standard overdone red ribbon cutting.
A few snips later, a mad rush of people entered the 120,000-square-foot playground which is scheduled to open June 30.
Once inside, guests were greeted with mermaids floating along a 6,500-square-foot Island Drift Lazy River, body-painted models, dancers on most every platform, and an opportunity to wander around the park that contains 317,000 gallons of water.
ISLAND Waterpark features 11 slides, a 30-foot-tall indoor tree house, a pool used for various water sports, waterfalls, and a Kids Cove designed for the younger visitors.
A popular stop for guests sipping on the beverage of their choice was watching surfers attempt to ride the 1,000-square-foot Wild Wave FlowRider surf simulator — some were successful while others were swept off their boards.
Surfing tournaments and lessons will also be held at the simulator.
The park will have attractions for adults including six bars serving craft beers, curated wines and signature cocktails, a 10,000-square-foot space appropriately named Paradise Adult Island that faces the Boardwalk and ocean and features a swim-up bar.
For those looking for something different as the moon sparkles off the ocean, the park will transform into an adults-only nightlife venue.
A Coconut Zero-Gravity Coaster that takes guests on a ride high above the waterpark and 300-foot-long RipTide Zip Line round out the experience.
Summer admission rates start at $89 for daytime general admission, and twilight admission, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., starts at $69. All-Access VIP admission starts at $119.
Tim Hawk has been a photojournalist for more than 30 years, covering South Jersey and the Jersey Shore. He is also an adjunct professor at Rowan University he teaches photojournalism.
