San Jose’s Raging Waters, a beloved refuge for families escaping the South Bay’s sizzling summer heat, will permanently shutter after 38 years of operation.
“Raging Waters San Jose is closed for the season and will not be reopening in 2024,” a Facebook message posted on Wednesday afternoon from the company reads. “We are thankful for the San Jose community and for our outstanding Team Members for helping us bring Northern California’s Largest Water Park to life for nearly four decades. Thank you for all the wonderful memories, San Jose!”
A spokesperson for the 23-acre water park, which is owned by Palace Entertainment, said the company recently decided to end its lease at the site.
“Overall, it seemed like the best path forward from a business perspective to focus on our other properties,” said Lynsey Winters, who declined to disclose attendance or revenue numbers.
San Jose’s Raging Waters was located on the eastern side of the city next to Cunningham Lake and featured a 350,000-gallon wave pool and 14 water slides. It was the largest water park in Northern California in terms of acreage, according to Winters. The site opened in 1985 and was acquired by Palace Entertainment in 2002.
Without Raging Waters, San Jose is left with no other large-scale water park. The land is currently owned by the city, according to Winters.
The news follows last year’s closure of Raging Waters Sacramento after the company ended its lease. Last month, a new company said it would take over the Sacramento location and renovate the site, according to local media. Raging Waters’ only other California location is in Los Angeles. The company also has a location in Australia.
In a statement, Mayor Matt Mahan said the water park was “a place that has epitomized summer for those of us who grew up” in the area.
“While I’m sad to see them go, I’m also excited to reimagine what Lake Cunningham can be for our community,” he wrote. “We’ve already heard from potential investors who are exploring new recreational uses and business models that might draw even greater interest from residents.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Source: www.mercurynews.com