Calverton, Long Island might have a new water attraction coming in just in time for the summer heat. Island Water Park is the name of the new kind of water park. It hopes to bring a different experience than others found on the island.
Island Water Park has been in the making for almost 20 years. With a 46-acre property, the new attraction is hoping to differentiate from other parks, such as Calverton’s Splish Splash. Island Water Park hopes to bring in more extreme activities and indoor attractions.
The 75,000 square foot park was bought directly from the town of Riverhead for more than $700,000 back in 2003.
The difference between Island Water Park and others is that they will not have any water rides but water activities. This includes a 20-acre artificial lake, water obstacle course, indoor surfing, bumper boats, and more.
In November 2021, the town of Riverhead issued a stop-work order due to more work that was conducted that wasn’t included in the site plan.
Island Water Park was hit with a setback with the stop-work order. It was held up and continued to clean up the area.
The Riverhead Town Board gave the green light to Island Water Park in February 2022. This was after going through many ups and downs with residents and the town.
Nelson Pope Voorhis (NPV) conducted a project Need and Benefit Analysis and submitted it to the Town of Riverhead. NPV stated that Island Water Park would have an estimated $65.5 million off revenue annually from various sales such as tickets, food and drinks, a gym, birthday parties, sky dying, and other miscellaneous sale revenue, according to the NPV report.
The estimated revenue will amount to roughly $5.6 million in annual sales tax, which would provide approximately 4 percent or $2.6 million in sales tax for the State of New York. Suffolk County would retain roughly 4.25 percent or $2.7 million and an 0.375 percent or an estimated $245,873 to the New York State Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, amounting to 8.625 percent New York tax.
The town was also granted a 10-year tax reduction by the Riverhead Industrial Development Agency. The drops start at 50 percent then decrease five percent every year. The tax deduction could allow the new attraction to benefit from this reduction in tax in various ways.
Island Water Park aims to bring over 350 jobs to the area and could help bring in more people out east. The attraction is set to be open year-round, allowing people from all over the island and beyond to enjoy what Island Water Park offers.
