The idea of building a water park has beenfloated (pun intended) for years in AC. For instance, both Revel (now Ocean Casino-Resort) and the Atlantic Club casino-hotel (now part of Stockton University’s AC campus) were rumored to be possible sites for such a development when they ceased operations in 2014.
But it’s another former gaming hall that has actually seen the concept come to fruition: Island Waterpark opened its doors at what is now the Showboat Hotel–formerly Showboat Casino-Hotel–to the public July 4 (four days later than originally announced, reportedly due to state licensing issues).
Conceived and built by Philadelphia-based real-estate developer Bart Blatstein, Island Waterpark is a $100 million indoor facility that bills itself as the world’s largest, beachfront H2O-based playground.
Encompassing an impressive 120,000 square feet (and utilizing 317,000 gallons of water) under a cantilevered glass-paneled roof, the park offers a series of something-for-everyone experiences.
Kids of all ages can enjoy a large swimming pool and a variety of water slides—with names like Electric Eel, Sonic Serpent and Barracuda Blaster–and their own play area, while members of the over-21 set can avail themselves of an adults-only pool (with luxury cabanas) and a bar that’s set smack-dab in the middle of the action.
Also included are a FlowRider area at which guests can enjoy surfing on simulated perpetual waves, and several food-and-drink outlets.
For Blatstein, however, Island Waterpark isn’t just another business investment. This time, as they say, it’s personal. He noted during a recent interview that Island Waterpark represents a victory over the many naysayers who were certain the complex would never get out of the blueprint stage.
“I’ve heard that my whole career—how this won’t work, that won’t work,” offered the real estate tycoon, whose Piazza at Schmidt’s apartment complex ignited the explosive growth of Philly’s Fishtown neighborhood north of Center City in the late-2000s.
“But you don’t pay attention. You do what you believe in. And a lot of research and work went into this. And I have a wonderful team and I’ve been doing it 45 years now, so, we have the expertise and experience.”
But $100 million is definitely a lot of money to spend on an “I told you so.” Island Waterpark also made sense to Blatstein on purely business and big-picture levels.
“It’s a proven [concept],” he said. “It’s a very large industry around the world, and especially in North America. So I had a lot of confidence in it–why wouldn’t it work here?”
Some have questioned whether Island Waterpark will draw customers—especially families once the weather turns cold and kids are in school. As Blatstein sees it, that line of thinking is a non-starter.
“The winter,” he reasoned, “is when water parks are crowded. So our climate’s 85 degrees and our water’s 85 degrees. And it’s gonna do great. I mean, where else are you gonna go in the dark, dreary winter months?”
Blatstein’s experience in the entertainment and leisure realms has been limited; in 2015 he unsuccessfully attempted to turn the Pier One shopping mall on the Boardwalk opposite Caesars Atlantic City into a live-music-intensive concept called The Playground, which featured a number of venues specializing in various forms of music. It was ultimately sunk more by inherent issues with the building, including its distance from public parking, than the idea itself.
But providing the public with recreational spaces is literally in his DNA: His father, Harry, owned Boulevard Pools, an iconic recreation spot for generations of 20th century Northeast Philadelphia residents.
While he said Island Waterpark isn’t intended to be an homage, his dad has certainly been in his thoughts as his newest endeavor has moved forward.
“I miss him, and I wish he was here. I think he’d get a real kick out of what I’m doing here,” he said.
According to Blatstein, the opening of Island Waterpark does not signal the end of his redevelopment of the Showboat. The renovation of the property’s three hotel towers has been underway since 2021 (the second of the three projects is slated to be completed this summer). And although he didn’t divulge any details, Blatstein acknowledged there are plans for the building’s second level, which is now devoid of activity other than employees’ meetings.
One currently dormant second-floor asset is the House of Blues, which, between 1995 and 2014, hosted scores of big-time musical-and-comedy acts including The Allman Brothers Band, Eminem, Alice Cooper, Roseanne Barr and The Roots.
When asked about his plans for the space, Blatstein replied with a chuckle, “I have secret plans to activate that, but I can’t tell you. If I did, I’d have to kill you.”
For more on Island Waterpark, go to www.islandwaterparkac.com.
Hard Rock goes to the “Dark Side”
The sounds of two of the most revered and important “classic-rock” bands of all time will be in the spotlight July 22 as Gov’t Mule kicks off its 2023 “Dark Side Of the Mule” tour at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
The band led by guitarist Warren Haynes will offer a tribute to space-rock titans Pink Floyd following a full set of Gov’t Mule’s own, “jam-band” material.
Opening the show is Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, which features drummer Bonham, who is the son of Led Zep’s legendary time-keeper, the late John Bonham.
For tickets, go to www.ticketmaster.com.
