Jim MartinErie Times-News
On the heels of one of its best seasons ever, the owner of Waldameer Park & Water World is looking to the future with a $9 million new ride and a $2.65 million investment in land adjacent to the park.
Rocket Blast — which ranks as the biggest investment in Waldameer's history — won't be ready when the park opens its doors for the weekend on Saturday or even when it opens for the full season May 27.
But it won't be long before the park debuts a water ride that's being compared to the Ravine Flyer II.
Steve Gorman, the park's president, said Rocket Blast will carry rafts of between two and four people "over 800 feet of twists, turns, and three uphill blast sections."
Gorman said he and his wife have ridden a similar water ride made by the same company.
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"My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think it will be very popular for thrill seekers," he said.
Gorman hopes to have the park's newest attraction ready by the middle of June.
"We are behind schedule," Gorman said. "We have had some delays."
In a February interview with the Erie Times-News, it was apparent that those delays were a source of consternation for park owner Paul Nelson, who said at the time that only half the needed materials had been delivered.
"It would be nice if this was easier," he said. "They (the ride company) promised us the world, but the world is not coming to us."
Gorman said last week that the ride is taking shape and should be ready by the time the water park typically gets busy in the middle of June.
Expanding the park's footprint
One of Nelson's biggest offseason investments won't have an immediate effect on the park's 2023 season, but could provide space for future expansion.
Gorman confirmed that Nelson purchased the former Village Mobile Home Park, located on the southern edge of Waldameer at 3028 W. Sixth St.
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The sale of the 14-acre property was transferred from the estate of Dominic Adiutori to Meer Village LLC, which is controlled by Nelson, on May 1. The sale price was $2.65 million, according to a deed recorded at the Erie County Courthouse.
Gorman said the owners of about 55 mobile homes are paying rent in the mobile home park, which is located on both sides of the driveway that leads to the parking lot on the southwest corner of Waldameer.
While the mobile home park property could easily be used to expand the park, there are no plans to do so anytime soon, Gorman said.
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"The previous owners were looking for a buyer and it was an opportunity not to be passed up," Gorman said in a statement, adding, "We will continue to operate the mobile home park and make improvements to the property."
Gorman did acknowledge that the purchase "provides Waldameer an opportunity for future growth in the long-term. There are no immediate plans to close the mobile home park."
Hoping for a full staff
Waldameer, which held a special event Saturday for season pass-holders to obtain photo passes and ride a few of the park's rides, is working toward its goal of being fully staffed with about 650 seasonal employees, Gorman said.
As of Friday, about 450 people had been hired for this season.
"We are in much better shape than last year at this time," Gorman said. "I feel very confident that by this summer we will be fully staffed."
Gorman credits higher wages implemented in 2022 with helping to resolve employee shortages. A year earlier, a shortage of workers forced Waldameer to curtail its schedule in the final weeks of the season.
Great expectations
An exciting new ride, a larger staff and rising prices — which could prompt some people to stay closer to home — all have Gorman feeling optimistic that this will be a successful season for Waldameer.
Inflationary prices did prompt Waldameer to raise its own prices. The price of a combination pass, good at both the amusem*nt park and the water park, is up from $49.50 to $52.
"We have increased our wages over the years," Gorman said. "We don't want to go too far too fast, but our expenses are up and our wages are up."
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Gorman said he doesn't believe inflation will stand in the way of a successful summer at Waldameer.
"We have experienced inflation and times when gas prices were high, but we still did well," Gorman said, noting that free gate admission and a pay-as-you-ride plan allow patrons to control their expenses.
"People still want to come to the park," he said. "I think it means we have a good product. We provide fun and memories for people."
A recent report from VisitErie, Erie County's tourism promotion agency, suggests there is reason for optimism, despite higher prices. First-quarter statistics show increases in visitation numbers for January, February and March compared to the same period in 2022.
Contact Jim Martin atjmartin@timesnews.com.
