The newly constructed Wild Rivers Waterpark has set an opening date for June 20.
The park closed in 2011 after a 25-year run when its lease ended with the Irvine Co. Its original location was the previous site of a drive-thru safari and amusement park neighboring the San Diego Freeway. The land now holds the 1,750-unit Los Olivos Apartment Village from the Irvine Co. across from the Irvine Spectrum Center.
Owner and Chief Executive Mike Riedel began searching for a new site after the water park was demolished.
In 2020, the city of Irvine approved plans to build a new water park at the Orange County Great Park. The $60 million project began construction last July. Riedel said the park is 50% bigger than its predecessor.
The newly designed park sports over 20 acres with 20 rides and three restaurants. Wild Rivers will lease the land for 35 years with an option to add three acres to the park.
The city built a 1,230-space parking lot next to the park, leased to Wild Rivers for use during its summer operations.
