SLIP SLIDING AWAY

I magine that your entire business year is about 100 days long - Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend - and success depends upon something over which you have no control: hot, sunny weather.

Welcome to Splash-Down water slides in the Spokane Valley, where attendance can jump from zero to 1,000 when the sun begins to blaze.

To say the least, this week's warmer weather has been most welcome for the Splash-Down staff, who have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of fun-seekers. "Any business we get before July is a bonus and greatly appreciated," said manager Geoff Kellogg. "So far, we're slightly behind last year in terms of attendance and season passes." Kellogg, a 1989 Mead High School graduate and former professional baseball player with the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres organizations, started managing Splash-Down last year, one of the hotter summers on record. Attendance ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 a year, mostly depending on the weather. Though exact figures aren't disclosed, last year's patronage topped 50,000, Kellogg said. "People see the lines and sometimes get discouraged," he added, "but unlike some amusement parks, our lines move very quickly. You can put a lot of people down a slide in a short period of time." Bill and Ruth Bleasner, retired Spokane County grass seed farmers, built the water slide park in 1982 and are the majority shareholders in a small group of investors. One of Splash-Down's big advantages is location and visibility. Four huge slides, each 400-feet long, stretch down the hillside south of I-90, between Argonne and Pines, adjacent to Valley Mission Park. Kellogg said he doesn't really view the area's other water slide, Wild Waters at Coeur d'Alene, as competition. "When it's 90 degrees out, people want to do something cool and wet and close," he said, "and we're close, wet and convenient." While Splash-Down's twisting, turning slides are the main draw, the park also has other amenities. There are separate kiddie slides and pools set up for tots to enjoy, and a grassy area for sun worshippers to relax between trips on the slides. One challenge for staff is spectators who want free admission. "Many people who plan to simply watch their children see how much fun it is and how many other adults are enjoying themselves," Kellogg said. "Pretty soon they give it a try and are right in the thick of it with their kids." As a result, even spectators pay full price to enter the park. Those who think they will only watch are issued plastic bracelets. If the bracelets are still on their wrists when they exit, half of their admission is refunded. But adults are as enthusiastic about the park as young people. "At 6 foot 8 inches, most slides don't accommodate me," joked visitor Art Jacobson, a teacher at Hutton Elementary. "My feet hit the ground before I leave the top. But this is great. It's a lot of fun. You can act like a kid and not worry about it. Plus, for just $5, you can get wet and have a great time for three to four hours. You can't go to a movie for that." Sharma Daniels, sliding with daughter Jericho, agreed, "It brings out the kid in you." While warm weather is a good drawing card, Kellogg is not leaving successful attendance to chance. He participates in an advertising alliance with Pepsi and Zip's restaurants. Buy a combo meal at Zip's and get a coupon for $2 off at Splash-Down. Meanwhile, Pepsi has provided outdoor umbrellas. In addition, it will promote Mountain Dew on Aug. 16 when it sponsors Kids Fun Day. Similar cross-promotions feature two-for-one admission prices, and special events include DARE Day on July 19, Oreo Day on Aug. 2 and Kool-Aid Day on Aug. 23. The most successful promotion, Kellogg said, is Family Night on Tuesday evenings from 4 to 8, for $5 a person. All-day admissions for those 12 and over, good from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday, are $10.50. Kids 11 and under get $1 off the full admission price. Splash-Down also has made safety a top priority, Kellogg said. Rules are clearly posted in several locations and firmly enforced. All lifeguards are certified and are aggressive in ensuring everyone slides down the correct way, with adequate space between people. "There are always a few minor cuts and scrapes during the season, but the good news is we have had no major injuries during the entire 17 years," Kellogg said. Still, liability insurance is "certainly a substantial expense," he said, "and unfortunately it seems to go up every year." Kellogg added: "It's a fun place to bring the whole family. People deserve to enjoy their time, but they also need to know it's safe. ... We want everyone to get involved and make memories."

Copyright 1999 Cowles Publishing Company
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