The Beach Waterpark reopened

The attraction was closed in 2012.


HOW TO GO

What: The Beach Waterpark

Where: 2590 Waterpark Drive, Mason. Located off of I-71 at exit 25-A, 20 minutes north of downtown Cincinnati and roughly 45 minutes south of downtown Dayton.

When: Daily operations will begin May 25. The park will close for the season on Sept. 8.

Hours: Vary. See website for details.

Entertainment activities planned for this summer: Include Dive In Movies, Family Friday's and Reggae Sundays (beginning June 30). See The Beach's website for a complete schedule.

More information: (513) 398-SWIM (7946) or www.thebeachwaterpark.com

When the Beach Waterpark announced it would be closed for the 2012 season many pass holders wondered if anyone would step up to take it over, or if the popular attraction would be mothballed.

At the time, the news release quoted spokesman Ralph Vilardo Jr. saying the closing was, “the result of a challenging competitive and economic climate and changing patron entertainment habits.”

To the great delight of many fans, the park opened its entrance once again to usher in the summer 2013 season.  The opening promised to have the park back and better than ever, after a $5 million face lift and overhaul of many of its star attractions.

The response has been incredible, said Vilardo, who is back to run the Warren County attraction as general manager.

“We have had a 100 percent positive response from the public, the previous season pass holders and the business community,” said Vilardo, who anticipates a “wow factor” for pass holders familiar with the park. “Every interior and exterior had been renovated and improved.”

Kings Island, located less than two miles from The Beach, invested $10 million to double the size of its Boomerang Bay water park, renaming it Soak City for the 2012 season.

But The Beach is the largest stand-alone waterpark in Ohio.

The revamped Beach has expanded the interactive kids area, remodeled most of the slides and water attractions, tripled the number of shade structures and remodeledrestaurants and bathrooms, among other projects.

Season passes that were purchased before the closure announcement for 2012 can be redeemed for the 2013 season.

“It was important for us to honor season passes from 2012 to revive everyone’s trust and enjoyment of The Beach,” said Hank Woodburn, president and owner of Adventure Landing.

With more than 8,000 passes sold for the 2012 season, it’s a goodwill gesture that the park’s management hopes will send the message to fans that this is a whole new Beach.

“Using our Adventure Holdings experience and expertise (and combining) that with the unique setting of The Beach, our patron(s) will not only will see all the improvements but enjoy all the new amenities that will make The Beach the place to be in 2013,” Vilardo said. “This park is a cornerstone for the community, and we can’t wait to re-open our doors to all the same things you remember and new things we’ve included.”

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