Schlitterbahn Kansas City

Schlitterbahn Kansas City
Location Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Coordinates 39°07′15″N 94°48′15″W / 39.12083°N 94.80417°W / 39.12083; -94.80417Coordinates: 39°07′15″N 94°48′15″W / 39.12083°N 94.80417°W / 39.12083; -94.80417
Pools 2 pools
Water slides 14 water slides
Children's areas 2 children's areas

Schlitterbahn Kansas City, also known as Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, is a resort complex that opened in summer 2009 in Kansas City, Kansas. It was announced in September 2005 by Schlitterbahn Waterparks. The 370-acre (1.5 km2), $750 million development will include a nearly 40-acre (160,000 m2) waterpark, which will be Schlitterbahn's fourth waterpark and its first outside Texas.

Groundbreaking took place September 18, 2007 on the land formerly occupied by the Wyandotte County Fairgrounds and the Unified Government courthouse annex, across Interstate 435 from the Kansas Speedway and Village West.

History

Phase 1 included the opening of 12 water attractions, 3 restaurants, and 2 shops. For the 2011 season, phase 2 opened on April 30, 2011, with six new attractions.

Verrückt

In November 2012, Schlitterbahn, Kansas City, announced plans for the world's tallest and fastest water slide, Verrückt.[1] Designed by Schlitterbahn co-owner, Jeff Henry, Verrückt was a three-person raft slide with an uphill section. The initial drop was a 17-story plunge with a five-story uphill section. At 168 feet 7 inches (about 51.4 m),[2] the starting point was taller than Niagara Falls[3] and reached a maximum speed of 65 mph (104.6 km/h). It opened on July 10, 2014, after multiple delays.[4]

On August 7, 2016, the 10-year-old son of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab, died while riding Verrückt.[5] Schwab was decapitated.[6] The ride was shut down indefinitely pending further investigation.[7][8][9] On November 22, the park announced that the ride will not reopen, and the slide will be decommissioned and torn down once the investigation is complete.[10][11]

References

  1. "World's tallest water coaster coming to Schlitterbahn Kansas City". Amusement Today. November 20, 2012. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
  2. "All NEW Verrückt". Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts. Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  3. "World's Tallest Waterside graphic". Retrieved 2014-05-27.
  4. Eveld, Edward (July 9, 2014). "Schlitterbahn:First riders on Verrückt at Schlitterbahn love the 'rush' (with video)". The Kansas City Star. The McClatchy Company. Retrieved 2014-07-10.
  5. Raine, Naja (August 9, 2016). "Caleb Schwab, 10, Decapitated in Water Slide Accident, Police Confirm". People. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  6. Raine, Naja (August 9, 2016). "Caleb Schwab, 10, Decapitated in Water Slide Accident, Police Confirm". People. Retrieved August 9, 2016.
  7. Graflage, Stephanie; Pulley, Mary (8 August 2016). "KCK police release details about water park tragedy; pastor provides statement on 10-year-old boy killed". WDAF.
  8. Campbell, Matt; Cronkleton, Robert; Adler, Eric. "Son of Kansas lawmaker dies on Verrückt slide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kan.". The Kansas City Star. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  9. Olen, Helaine (8 August 2016). "A Boy Died on This Water Slide—in One of the Many States That Barely Ensure That Rides Are Safe". Slate.
  10. "Schlitterbahn announces intent to close Verrückt water slide following August death of Caleb Schwab". fox4kc.com. 2016-11-22. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
  11. "Statement Regarding Verrückt:". Schlitterbahn News Room. Retrieved 2016-11-23.
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