Randall’s Island getting 168M water park

City officials voted this week to allow a $168 million water park to break ground on Randall’s Island next spring after developers promised jobs and discounts for local residents. The Franchise and Concession Review Committee voted 4 to 2 in favor of the project on Tuesday, April 11.
The 26-acre water park will provide at least 300 jobs to Harlem residents and discounts off the $30 adult and $25 child admission prices, according to previously published reports. The project will provide a total of 600-700 seasonal jobs and 125-150 year-round positions, according to the developer’s website.
Aquatic Development Group, a private company, will foot the bill, which nearly quadrupled from $45 million when first proposed. In addition, in their 35-year contract with the city, the park’s developers promise to pay the city various amounts each year, depending on their profits. One million of the projected concession fees will go to youth programming.
The indoor section of the family-themed water park is expected to open in March 2008, and the outdoor part later that year. Plans include a wave pool, slides, a floating river, an indoor-pool, and a year-round beach club.
Ten baseball fields will be bulldozed by the project, but developers said on their website that new, higher-quality fields would replace those lost. In addition, the park will offer year-round swimming lessons for local kids.
The Randall’s Island Sports Foundation (RISF), which is charged with overseeing all 480 acres of the Island, is looking into other methods of transportation to and from the park. In consideration is ferry service provided by Manhattan Waterways and shuttle service from subway stops in the South Bronx and Queens, according to RISF Vice President Jonathan Greengrass.