(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - Atlantis Waterslides will begin to see some major upgrades next year when its new owners, Cultus Lake Waterpark, start to put their mark on the popular Vernon attraction.

Cultus Lake Waterpark owner Chris Steunenberg wouldn't give up specific plans for the waterslides but said they'll be pumping "millions" into the venture and he had "big plans for the park."

The new owner is keeping his cards close to his chest but did say the waterpark would be "capitalizing on the view."

"You're going to see the family attraction side of it enlarged, definitely," Steunenberg said.

Steunenberg said he hadn't advertised the sale, which went through in the spring and decided to keep the status quo for this season before upgrades begin in the new year.

The waterslides date back to 1983 and have seen several owners over the years, including one that went into receivership. The Okanagan did once boast several waterparks, but over time real estate values made housing more profitable than running a waterpark.

"The Okanagan is so underserved as far as water parks are concerned, everything has been closing down," Steunenberg said. "We see potential and we'd hate to see it go into housing or an RV park or something... we really want to see that recreational facility preserved."

Steunenberg, who has owned Cultus Lake Waterpark for 25 years, said Atlantis Waterslides would be rebranded and plans for upgrades will be announced in the new year. The businessman did confirm the park would receive about $1-million just in capital improvements that park-goers wouldn't even see.

"In its current path the park would have to be closed down because there have not been any capital improvements done, it's just run the way it was built 36 years ago, it needs to be brought up into the very relevant and modern times," he said.

Atlantis Water Slides general manager Mark Nawrot has run the park for the last nine years. Nawrot said the waterslides currently employ 53 staff running from early June to September Labour Day weekend. Nawrot said he couldn't confirm whether his company would still be running the waterpark next year.

New owners say upgrades will include "capitalizing on the view."

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

(BEN BULMER / iNFOnews.ca)

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