Provo waterpark owners face pushback from neighbors over expansion plans

PROVO — The owners of a longtime Provo waterpark are touting a plan for expansion as neighbors push back against it.

That plan calls for Splash Summit, which has been located on the city’s east side for nearly 40 years, to move further east near Slate Canyon. A large development would be built nearby including a new hotel, retail and housing.

However, the land for the proposed development is currently owned by Provo city, which would need to sell it to the Splash Summit owners first.

Residents are fighting the effort and are urging the city to preserve the area around Slate Canyon and not sell the land.

‘New traditions’

The waterpark at 1330 E. 300 N. in Provo first opened in 1989.

“It has been a tradition for our family. We love this place,” said David Osmond, chief entertainment officer at Splash Summit and son of famous singer Alan Osmond. “My dad even wrote the theme song for the park even when it was Seven Peaks back in the day.”

Now he’s singing a new tune for the park as its owners want to move it just to the east.

“We’re looking at expanding the park to be even bigger, better,” Osmond said.

Specifically, plans call for a new waterpark that blends into the landscape, a hotel that’s built into the hillside, shopping areas, housing and open space.

“This is really not something that is set in stone. It’s really early stages,” Osmond said. “But there’s a lot of fun ideas to be able to create those outdoor activities and memories and new traditions for families to come and experience.”

This proposal comes as the Winter Olympics are set to return to Utah in 2034.

Neighborhood opposition

But the proposal has prompted neighbors to organize opposition against it.

“I’m not a huge fan,” said Jeff Whitlock, who lives near Slate Canyon and loves it. “This is one of the most wild, natural places in the city.”

He wants the area kept as-is.

“When it comes to beautiful places like natural canyons that are already owned by the public, we should keep them in public hands,” Whitlock said.

Whitlock and other neighbors packed a public meeting last week, voicing nearly unanimous opposition to the proposal from Splash Summit.

“I think it was an overwhelming response from the residents,” said Katherine Hall, who also started a petition against the development. “I think it was very clear to both the developer and the city council and mayor’s office that the residents want this area preserved.”

Hall said the city should instead “honor its promises” to Provo residents by preserving the area around Slate Canyon and eventually building a park there.

Past plans

The owners of Splash Summit have had big plans before. KSL reported last year on their push to buy and develop the land where the state hospital currently sits, near the waterpark. But that hasn’t gone anywhere.

Osmond told KSL the current proposal is separate from that. He also said it would not impact Slate Canyon.

“We love these mountains. We want to make sure they are pristine. We’re not going to infringe on any of that untapped land,” Osmond said. “It’s in proximity of Slate Canyon but not in Slate Canyon.”

The owners of Splash Summit said their proposal also includes preserving the existing trails and improving the public areas of Slate Canyon. They have also insisted that building a ski resort is not part of their current proposal, although it was part of their plans for the state hospital property, according to a document reviewed by KSL last year.

Osmond said Splash Summit would remain open during construction of the new waterpark and surrounding development, but it’s unclear what would happen to the existing property after that.

Ultimately, though, neighbors are pushing the city to not sell the land near Slate Canyon.

“Imagine if people didn’t have the boldness and the vision to build Central Park in New York. Would New York be what New York is today? No, it wouldn’t,” Whitlock said. “Same thing with land like this in Utah.”

Provo city did not respond to a request for comment.

 

Related: Business Insider lists Provo among top cities to watch in 2024