Wet N Wild (North Shields)

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Wet N Wild
Wet 'n' Wild, Leisure Pool, North Shields - geograph.org.uk - 121052.jpg
Some of the slides at Wet N Wild travel outside of the complex
Location Royal Quays, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England
Coordinates 54°59′46″N1°27′39″W / 54.9960°N 1.4607°W / 54.9960; -1.4607
Opened19th July 1993
Closed2020

Wet N Wild was an indoor water park situated in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, England. It was the United Kingdom's largest indoor water park when opened by Diane Youdale (Jet) on the 19th of July, 1993, [1] a title subsequently claimed by Sandcastle Waterpark. The park was situated in the Royal Quays complex, and featured numerous slides, a wave machine, and rapids. It was confirmed Wet N Wild would reopen following a takeover by Moirai Capital Investments. As of 2020, the park has once again closed. It is currently unknown if it will reopen as a waterpark. [2]

Contents

Slides and facilities

Wet N Wild had several large water slides, such as the Kamikaze which included an 80-foot drop, the Tornado which included two slides that snaked round each other on which you could race your friends. The Abyss, which included two large drops, the Black Hole, a double tire slide, and Calamity Canyon which included a number of small slides and whirlpools. All slides were supplied by Australian Waterslides and Leisure. [3] The waterpark also had a small children's area, which was known as Discovery Island.

The Black Hole was a 2-person Tyre slide and it had been suggested that was the most recognised star attraction slide at Wet N Wild North Shields within its 27-year history.

There were also a number smaller slides at the park, and a lazy river was also an attraction. A small outdoor pool would be open during the summer, with picnic benches situated at the poolside.

One of Wet N Wild's main selling points when it first opened was its controlled indoor climate, heated to a "tropical" 29 degrees Celsius. This meant that visitors could spend time out of the water, queueing for the slides or visiting the café, without noticing a drop in temperature. However, this was extremely costly, and was abandoned when the park reopened in 2014.

Changing Room facilities were mainly situated below the café area and included over 300 lockers and over 20 changing room cubicles both single and double. Baby changing facilities were also available for parents.

Food and drink was served at what was originally Crusoe's Galley Café (renamed Beach Hut Café in 2014) and was situated near the stairs to the pool and admission booth. The cafe served burgers, chips, crisps and chocolate bars, and drinks mainly included water, fizzy drinks, coffees and teas.

2013 Closure

2014 Reopening

2020 Closure

In 2020, the lease holders Serco Leisure announced that the park would not reopen in that year. Later in the 2020, having leased the park for six years, Serco Leisure bought the building outright, however have yet to confirm if the park will be reopened as a going concern or if the site will be redeveloped.

Slides and Flumes

Slow Speed Rides 1. The TempestFormerly known as "The Pinball" (opened on the 19th July 1993) 2. The Mistral (opened on the 19th July 1993)

Medium Speed Rides 3. The Black Hole (first opened in 1997) 4. The Calamity Canyon (opened on the 19th July 1993) 5. The Hurricane (opened on the 19th July 1993) 6. The Cyclone (opened on the 19th July 1993)

Fast Speed Rides 7. The Kamikaze (first opened in 1995) 8. The Tornado RacerFormerly known as "The Tornado" (opened on the 19th July 1993) 9. The Abyss (first opened in June 2001)

Cancelled Secret Ride In 2012, A Space Bowl slide was ordered, But the construction did not happen. Project Space Bowl was planned, but never realized.

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References

  1. ↑ "wetnwild". wetnwild. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  2. ↑ "Announcement from Serco Leisure, current operators of Wet 'n' Wild". wetnwild.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 February 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  3. ↑ "Completed projects". Australian Watersides and Leisure. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
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