Splashdown adding speedy 130-foot tube ride
Splashdown Water Park is building an attraction for adrenaline junkies.
When the $500,000 ride is completed, inner-tube riders will shoot through a wide, enclosed tunnel sloping 130 feet downhill. Tubers then shoot into a giant bowl of water at hair-raising speeds of about 30 mph.
Cannon Bowl is large enough to accommodate thrill seekers riding solo or on double tubes and is a big attraction at other parks.
“It’s one of the top rides in the industry right now,” said Geoff Kellogg, who owns the water park with his wife, Melissa Kellogg.
Building is under way on Cannon Bowl, which may be completed by Memorial Day weekend.
“For Splashdown, it’s a huge ride. It’s a big deal for us,” Kellogg said.
The couple purchased the water park at Valley Mission Park last year and spent the summer polling customers about the type of ride they’d like to see added to the lineup.
After talking with owners of other water parks, the Kelloggs purchased Cannon Bowl from ProSlide Technology Inc.
Bill Bleasner, the water park’s previous owner, is helping Kellogg with construction, which is overseen by a ProSlide site manager.
Bleasner, a veteran contractor, built many of the park’s existing rides.
To find out more about the new ride, group rates and season passes, visit splashdownwaterpark.net.
Pub has pool, billiards and darts
Last Lap Pub and Grill is vying to become the place for adults to shoot some pool and shoot the breeze.
The bar opened in the old Albertini’s Steakhouse building and offers entertainment options that include billiards, shuffleboard and darts.
Caryn Christensen opened the pub with her husband, Tom, and father-in-law, Lloyd Christensen, who purchased the building, which includes the 4,400-square-foot restaurant space.
The bar amassed two 10-foot long shelves of treasures that will add a local flair to a theme that includes any and every type of racing.
Last Lap will serve chicken-fried steak, hamburgers and sandwiches. Breakfast is available, and Christensen is creating an appetizer menu.
The pub seats 150 people and has a 30-person meeting room wired with DSL.
Last Lap Pub and Grill is for patrons 21 years of age and older and is at 13524 E. Sprague Ave.
For more information, call 893-8884.
Jeweler to display cutting-edge rocks
Tracy Jewelers is hosting the “rock star” of diamond cutters today.
The store will display 200 pieces of Hearts on Fire jewelry while third-generation master diamond cutter Brian McHardy demonstrates cutting and polishing techniques.
Two diamond eternity bands valued at $1,000 each will be given away during special drawings.
Tracy Jewelers is at 15412 E. Sprague Ave.
New restaurant dishes authentic Mexican
A Mexican restaurant is offering authentic food for dine-in and takeout.
Los Sanchez, part of a six-restaurant chain owned by Paul and Pablo Padilla, recently opened at 11519 E. Sprague Ave.
Paul Padilla said the business is leasing the building, which has seating for 80 diners.
Menu items include a la carte tacos, burritos and enchiladas for $1.35 on up. Platters start at $5.35 and include rice, beans and salad served with entrees like fajitas and chili verde.
The restaurant’s mammoth Mr. Giant Burrito costs $5.65 and offers choices of fillings.
Customers can customize spiciness with a trip through the salsa bar, enjoy bottomless chips and refill glasses of soda pop.
Los Sanchez is open Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free delivery is offered from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call 921-8109.