Making a splash

A $12.5 million water park will be the newest amenity of the Country Springs Hotel, Water Park and Conference Center, formerly known as the Country Inn Hotel and Conference Center.
While the tarp may still be over the 45,000 square-foot addition to the hotel and conference center, once polished and open for business, it will be the only water park of its kind in Waukesha County, said Lori Fuhrmann, director of sales for Country Springs.
Set to open March 4-5, the construction team is right on schedule, and Country Springs, located at 2810 Golf Road, Waukesha, is already taking reservations, Fuhrmann said.
"Expect 45,000 square feet of an exciting water park facility that will incorporate a multitude of fun rides," Fuhrmann said. "Courageous slides, a lazy river, indoor water basketball, an interactive play structure ride, indoor/outdoor whirlpool, children’s activities, special events, a lounge, an arcade, a birthday party room, a gift shop and year-round themes."
The facility also will offer lockers and changing rooms, a bar and a dining area, said Dick Richards of Country Springs. The inside theme of the water park is yet to be determined, but the ownership group, Country Inn Partnership LLC, is working on a fun and unique design, Fuhrmann said.
The indoor park’s three water slides have entrance lines inside the water park, but the fiberglass slides extend out into the parking lot. Passengers will have full view of their ride because the fiberglass is translucent, Richards said.
Richards hopes the water park, along with packages available when customers book rooms, will make Country Springs a destination for those who either reside in or visit Waukesha County.
Day passes for the water park will be available for $15, and a weekend pass will cost $25, Fuhrmann said. Extended stay packages including water park passes and partnerships with local golf courses, day spas and fitness facilities, are being developed, Richards said.
Horizon Construction, Madison, is overseeing the construction, Fuhrmann said.
December 17, 2004, Small Business Times, Milwaukee, WI