Silver Mountain to construct water park at base of gondola

KELLOGG – Silver Mountain Resort will break ground Tuesday on an indoor water park at the base of the gondola.

The 4 p.m. ceremony is open to the public and will be followed by a reception.

The 55,000-square-foot water park is scheduled to open in December 2006.

It will feature several waterslides, surf waves and other attractions.

The 1.2-acre water park will complement Silver Mountain’s winter recreation, helping the ski resort transform into a four-season resort, said Jerry Andres, president and chief executive of Eagle Crest, Silver Mountain’s parent company.

The water park will be the fourth in North Idaho.

Silverwood Theme Park, Triple Play in Hayden and Wild Waters in Coeur d’Alene also have water parks.

Last month, Silver Mountain launched the second phase of its condo development, selling all its 110 units within five hours.

In addition, the resort’s master plan calls for additional housing, new shops, meeting facilities, restaurants and a golf course.