WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsSplash Valley Sunk For Good

Splash Valley Sunk For Good

Rachel Withers
Eyewitness News Reporter

An East Ridge waterpark slated to open earlier this summer, has sunk once and for all.

  Developers first announced plans to build a waterpark on Ringgold Road in late 2007.  Memorial Day 2008 was the target date for opening, but environmental and funding concerns pushed that back.  Eyewitness News uncovered court documents that show Chattanooga's hottest new attraction is on ice.

It was the first and last splash Splash Valley water park would ever make in East Ridge.  Seven months after developers broke ground on the Ringgold Road site, Hamilton County court records show they defaulted on payments.  That forced the property's original owners to foreclose.

"That was news to me," explained East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele.  "I don't know how I missed that.  I read in the paper that (the foreclosure) happened in August.  I was not aware of that."

Mayor Steele admits he's more than surprised, he's hugely disappointed.  A lot of time was spent recruiting Splash Valley, and he doesn't understand what's changed.

Eyewitness News asked Mayor Steele if he thinks Splash Valley's a done deal in East Ridge.  Steele replied, "I wish I knew the answer to that.  I would like to think there's something we could work out, but the developer's not contacted me."

The news is disappointing for more than the city of East Ridge. Eyewitness News stopped  by the Chattanooga Visitor's Center, and got a copy of their 2008 visitor's guide.  It lists Splash Valley as one of their top attractions.

"They have questions, why they can't find this, and certainly we have to answer that it was never built," explained Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau President, Bob Doak.

Doak has no knowledge of plans to build Splash Valley in another Tennessee Valley community.   But, if they do, Mayor Steele plans to ride the wave of new development.

"I think there's still a lot of benefit that we could potentially get from the standpoint of hotels, restaurants, and gas," said Steele.  "Those things that are for sales tax revenue."

Eyewitness News made numerous attempts to reach Splash Valley's developers, but our phone calls were not returned.

It's important to note, the Splash Valley property was divided into two parcels.  The second parcel is also being foreclosed on, and will be sold on the courthouse lawn November 17th.