Cedar Point's Castaway Bay nears end of construction phase

Monday, 16 August 2004

Cedar Point Press Release

New year-round indoor waterpark resort  set to open on Friday, Nov. 5


The Caribbean comes to Ohio! Construction on Cedar Point amusement park/resort's new Castaway Bay indoor waterpark resort is well under way with a wild water roller coaster preparing to make a big splash when the year-round complex opens on Friday, Nov. 5. Photo courtesy Cedar Point.
SANDUSKY, Ohio, Aug. 12, 2004 - Gary Gast has spent the last year dreaming of the Caribbean. In three months, he will be able to experience it ... in Ohio! As the facilities/new construction manager at Cedar Point, Gary has been busy supervising the construction of the amusement park/resort's tropically themed Castaway Bay year-round indoor waterpark resort, which began with site clearing in September of 2003.

The new complex will be a $22 million expansion to the park's existing Radisson Harbor Inn property located at the entrance to the Cedar Point Causeway and will open to overnight guests on Friday, Nov. 5.

"This has been a fun assignment," says Gast, who also works on construction projects, such as the installation of roller coasters at Cedar Point. "The neat challenge of Castaway Bay has been constructing so many different elements in a relatively compact space; plus dealing with a variety of diverse 'trades,' such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and masonries."

A crew of approximately 130 is responsible for building Castaway Bay, which will feature an elaborate 38,000-square-foot waterpark packed with aqua activities for all ages, such as a unique water roller coaster, 11 other water slides, a 100,000-gallon wave pool, whirlpool spas, a children's play pool and action-packed activity areas - all in an island paradise atmosphere surrounded by palm trees, huts, inland lagoons and rock work.  Currently, nearly 70 percent of the construction on Castaway Bay is complete.

Along with the soaring five-story indoor waterpark, Castaway Bay will feature 237 hotel rooms and suites, an exercise room, state-of-the-art arcade, restaurants, retail shops, adjacent marina and space for meetings, group events and birthday parties.

"We have used roughly 1,000 different blueprints to guide the construction of Castaway Bay," says Gast. "It has been an incredibly intricate project, especially with the filtration and pump rooms, which is an impressive three-story support complex. Although this is in a back area that guests won't see, it is ultimately responsible for the operation of the waterpark."

The most unusual water attraction at Castaway Bay will be the 35-foot-tall, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that will propel riders in a raft uphill using water jets. It will twist its way through the waterpark, shoot outside the resort's structure in an enclosed  slide and then spiral back into the complex.

"Keeping in line with Cedar Point's strong commitment to roller coasters, there was never any doubt that we had to introduce this rare water coaster technology at Castaway Bay."

Work is rolling along on the pouring of the concrete floors, installing the roofing, piecing together the colorful water slides and completing the aesthetics and theming of the waterpark.

The final stages will include the massive task of adding the water to the complex, which is scheduled for late September; the intense inspection of all the water elements by Cedar Point's maintenance, operations and safety experts, followed by the licensing of the waterpark by the Amusement Ride Safety Division of the Ohio Department of Agriculture; and training the certified lifeguard staff.

"When we open, every day is going to be a great day at Castaway Bay," smiles Gast. "What could be better than a guarantee of a tropical water temperature of 82 degrees - even during the winter months? A trip to the Caribbean can't even promise you that much."

Castaway Bay's indoor waterpark will be open only to overnight guests staying at the resort complex. Packages and rates are currently available. Reservations can be made by calling Cedar Point Resorts at 419.627.2106 or by logging on to cedarpoint.com