Hastings District Council to invest $2.4 million in upgrades at Splash Planet Hawke's Bay

Hawke’s Bay water amusement park Splash Planet is to undergo significant upgrades and equipment replacements ahead of opening for summer in mid-November this year.

Hastings District Council, which has managed, funded and governed the attraction since 2004 will spend $2.4 million on works to enhance the experience at the attraction.

Works will include upgrading Splash Planet’s grounds and playground equipment, improving its wastewater system and modernising its kitchen/café facility along with upgrades to building, electrical and plumbing assets.

In addition, Splash Planet’s petrol go-karts will be replaced with electric options, as will the petrol outboard motors in the bumper boats.

Work will also see the area behind the main water features closed off with the amusement devices in that area relocated to the front of the park to ensure they are able to be used by visitors.

The kayak facility will also be closed, with activities in this area to be assessed with the potential to be reopened as a public space at some point in the future.

Work on the facility was prompted by extensive criticism by numerous visitors last summer for its rundown state and unclean conditions.

Usually open from November through to late March, Splash Planet closed on 7th February this year due to labour shortages.

A recent report that to Council revealed that subsequent routine maintenance revealed a raft of issues over wide areas of the park, which needed operational changes, maintenance, repairs or renewal as part of its end-of-life cycle.

Councillors were faced with three options for the coming summer; spend $2.4 million on upgrades and run the park as usual, close down part of the park or close the whole park for summer.

With Councillors choosing the upgrade program, Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said Splash Planet was an important recreational park in Hastings, much loved by visitors and locals alike.

Mayor Hazlehurst explained “we know the opening of Splash Planet is a much-anticipated event each summer and we want to make sure it is a fabulous experience.

“Although we acknowledge the cost burdens we are experiencing as a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, this attraction is very important to our people and our district, and council is committed to upgrading the facility.”

A proportion of the funding for the upgrade will come from existing operational and capital budgets set aside for the facility, and the rest from loan funding to avoid putting the costs on ratepayers.

Mayor Hazlehurst advised that ticket prices will also be increased by between $4 and $6, explaining “we have tried to keep ticket price rises to a minimum in recent years, but to deliver this improved offering for users and reflect the true cost of operating Splash Planet we will be increasing the per-person price by between $4 and $6, which will help ensure we can re-open this summer.”

Last season an adult day pass to all facilities was $32 while passes for children between three and 13 cost $22.

It is expected that upgraded park will reopen in mid-November.

Hawke’s Bay’s most popular tourist attraction, the facility was created from what had once been the dry-ride theme park Fantasyland, operated by a trust.

Falling into decline, Fantasyland was rebranded as Splash Planet and reopened in 1998 after significant investment to convert it to its present theme.

It was subsequently transferred from trust governance to the Council.

Image: Splash Planet. Credit: Hastings District Council.