
Water park hopes to flood with more visitors
Since opening in 2005, Zehnder’s Splash Village in Frankenmuth has hosted tourists from across the state, country and around the world. The park currently features 25,000 square feet of indoor aquatic fun.
Zehnder's Splash Village water park in Michigan's little Bavaria hopes expanding their current facilities will not only bring more people, but an older age demographic. According to John Shelton, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Zehnder's, age means everything.
“When we originally opened, the water park it was mainly geared towards toddlers and kids 12 to 13,” Shelton said. “This expansion is for teenagers and above seeking thrill and adventure, and we believe the consumer won't outgrow it.”
Zehnder's Splash Village is currently adding 30,000 square feet to the existing structure. A 58 foot tower being built inside the expansion site will be host to The Tantrum, a four person raft ride, and the Super Loop, a freefall water slide where the individual is released from a capsule and dropped 58 ft down and sends the rider around the toilet bowl shaped run-up.
Since the entire project is based around a higher age group, even the simplistic attractions of the expansion promise action. An action river being constructed will have water basketball, volleyball and water geysers.
According to an article published in the Detroit News, the state’s tourism industry is spending $4 million to market itself in Canada, China, Germany and the United Kingdom. Michigan is expecting its tourism industry to increase this summer.
Frankenmuth is Michigan's top tourist destination. An estimated three million people visit the town each year including over 2,000 motor coach tours. There are many annual events that attract visitors each year including the popular Snowfest which showcases international snow and ice sculptors competing for cash prizes.
News of the water park expansion is creating a buzz in the Tri-Cities.
“I haven't been to Splash Village in at least five years. Mainly because I've outgrown most of the fun parts of the water,” said park visitor Alana Sly. “If everything is true about what is being added to the water park, I will definitely be one of the first in attendance once the park is completed.”
The total cost of the project is $20 million. Zehnder's of Frankenmuth received loans to help pay for the expansion through their partnership with First Merit Bank and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
“There is no free money, and we are very lucky and very blessed that we have a lending team that believes in our vision of success,” Shelton said.12
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More Collegian News Articles
- Rock the record store
- Tennessee singers wow Delta community
- Frankenmuth bringin’ back the 80’s
- Red Eye Caffe brewing the good stuff for decades
Recent Collegian News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR COLLEGIAN

Family fun awaits at Dow Diamond By Nicole Black and Lindsi Hebert

Water park hopes to flood with more visitors By Jeffrey Alcorta

Delta opens learning center in Uganda By Kaitlyn Skrzypczak
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST COLLEGIAN NEWS
- Family fun awaits at Dow Diamond
- Minor League, major fun!
- Too little too late
- Delta commencement ceremony honors hundreds of students
- Monsters, zombies and blood help students learn in English class
- Delta opens Veterans’ Lounge
- Delta pushes to give students information on graduates’ career success and e...
RECENT COLLEGIAN CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Clean Ducts And Save
- Support For People With Disabilities On The Journey To Work
- Explore Employment With Your Own Team
- Tooth Be Told: Managing Children’s Oral Health In A P...
- Honoring The Selfless
- Emotional Investing And Social Media
- Video Games Boost U.S. Economy By Billions Top 10 States...
- Texas Sees Billions In Video Game Income
- Washington State Gets Billions From Video Games
- Video Games Bring Billions To New York
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- FIVE FABULOUS HOME OFFICE IDEAS
- Expanding Diversity Demographics Provides Opportunity for...
- BookTrib Bites: Fun and Informative for Your Reading Delight
- This Heart Month, Pledge to Help Your Heart with These 3...
- Lifetime Premieres Four Ripped- from-The-Headlines Originals
- Babyproofing Made Easy At Home and On the Go
- Boost Immunity Naturally With a Simple Spray
- Fine-Tune Your Finances Now, Reap Rewards Later
- BookTrib Bites: Four More Great Reads for Your Consideration
- Tips for Managing High Blood Pressure during Cold and Flu...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- James Beard Foundation Opens 2021-2022 Scholarship Application Period
- Get Involved, Make an Impact and Gain Real-World Experience With Global Brigades
- Stantec Launches Equity & Diversity Scholarship Program, Now Accepting Applications
- VOLO FOUNDATION SEEKS TO AWARD GRADUATE STUDENTS LEADING THE WAY IN CLIMATE SOLUTIONS
- Thomas Sowell: Common Sense in a Senseless World Streaming Today