“Since then, we’ve bought new parks and bigger parks, so this is just kind of an old asset that we’re trying to get rid of,” the owners say.
Want to buy a giant inflatable water park? There’s one on sale right here in Northern Ontario for just $60,000.
If you use Facebook Marketplace often, you may have come across it. 2020 Wibit SportsPark Advertisement.
It was such a rare find that our sister site Sudbury.com contacted the seller and learned it is now owned by . Splash and Go Adventure Park.
Mike Lafreniere, the owner of the business, said the water park set first operated at Vermilion Lake Campground in Chelmsford in 2021. Used in 2022 Sherkston Shores Resort in Port Colborne and in Timmins in 2023.
Last summer, Splash N Go operated an inflatable water park at Bell Park on Ramsey Lake, but it was a much larger model than the one for sale.
“Since then, we’ve bought new parks and bigger parks, so this is just kind of an old asset that we’re trying to get rid of,” Lafniere said.
The water park set can accommodate 110 patrons and “features a giant tower and a variety of amazing obstacles. However, please note that most productions require 8 to 10 feet of water depth.
Lafreniere said he originally purchased the set for $180,000 and believes it is great value.
He said the lifespan of this type of water park is three to five years, but only if it’s constantly underwater.
“It’s only been used for about six months,” Lafniere said. “This means it has minimal signs of use, has been professionally cleaned and professionally stored.”
A condition of the sale is that it cannot operate commercially within a 50-kilometre radius of Greater Sudbury for three years.
Lafreniere said this is only to prevent buyers from using the products to compete with businesses in the Greater Sudbury area.
But he thinks it will be a great attraction in whatever community it ends up in, adding that inflatable water parks that offer active family fun are growing in popularity.
“We have a lot of interest,” he said. “Judging by our conversations so far, I suspect we may see this phenomenon in other municipalities in the north this summer. But for now, it is still available.”
In case you were wondering, yes. splash and go will continue to operate at Bell Park this summer, with an opening date scheduled for June 28th and running through Labor Day.
In 2024, water parks will also be operating at Manitoulin Island’s Gore Bay, Timmins and Sherkston Shores Resort in Port Colborne.
Heidi Ulrichsen is an assistant editor at Sudbury.com.
