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Former Weeki Wachee employees plan a water park with six slides, a wave pool and aquatic playgrounds.
By JAMES THORNER
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 19, 2000
HUDSON -- Matt Burich used to inspect water slides and supervise lifeguards at Weeki Wachee Spring. Kim Burich used to wear a fish tail as a mermaid at the same Hernando County tourist site.
Together, they want to whip up a few waves in the calm waters of Hudson.
On Friday, the Buriches released details of a multimillion-dollar, 14-acre amusement park they want to open in 15 months between Buffalo Drive and Rhodes Road on U.S. 19.
Riptide Waterpark would feature six water slides, a wave pool with 5-foot-high artificial surf, a "lazy river" inner-tube ride, beach volleyball pits, in-ground hot tubs and interactive aquatic playgrounds.
Though water parks sporting such high-energy names as Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are as common as asphalt in other parts of Florida, water slides are rare in Pasco County.
"It was rather odd to us that the nearest real beach is Clearwater. You go to Hudson, you really don't have waves," Matt Burich said. "We felt Hudson deserved some waves."
Burich has assembled a management team consisting of himself, his wife, his brother and his sister-in-law. He said he has about 10 investors and is close to obtaining a bank loan to finance the project. He wouldn't disclose the size of the loan.
But might Riptide's high thrill rides prove less attractive to the retirees that dominate the demographics of west Pasco?
Burich said marketing studies show more encouraging trends:
Forty-six percent of Hudson's population is younger than 44.
Pasco's school enrollment is up 10,000 since 1995.
Young families are displacing elderly snowbirds as home buyers.
"These areas are literally exploding," Burich said. "What better area to be in?"
Riptide, which would operate from about March to late September, would need as many as 100 seasonal and 10 permanent employees.
The centerpiece of the park, the wave pool, would use compressed air to throw up artificial waves varying in height from 3 to 5 feet.
Another draw would be three types of twisting water slides, including one in which people shoot through a darkened, enclosed tube.
The lazy river attraction would wind around the park for one-fifth of a mile, creating an island the Buriches would dab with spas.
A full-service restaurant would serve burgers, hot dogs, pizza and ice cream. A playground, sort of an aquatic jungle gym, would let kids release water by pulling levers and pushing buttons.
Rounding out Riptide would be a boardwalk, an artificial waterfall, group picnic areas, a dining terrace, changing rooms and lockers, and a 500-car parking lot.
Admission would be all-inclusive, with seasonal passes available. Ticket prices for seniors would be one-third that of other adults. Corporate picnics and children's birthday parties would be welcomed.
"I think the people will be thrilled," Burich said. "We're not talking Disney prices here."
Burich declined to reveal his proposed ticket prices, saying he didn't want to tip off potential competitors.
After years of hands-on experience at Weeki Wachee and studying water parks across the country, the Buriches are confident Riptide will help satisfy a shortage of entertainment options in Pasco.
Kim Burich, 38, traded in the mermaid's tail she wore in her early days at Weeki Wachee to become general manager and part-owner of the park in the 1990s.
After leaving his native Ohio in the 1980s, Matt Burich, 32, worked for six years as a Weeki Wachee lifeguard supervisor.
He has since served as vice president and co-founder of Dream Custom Homes in Spring Hill.
The two, who met as employees at the water park, have two children: Madison, 9, and Brandon, 4.
The desire to entertain their kids, as well as the children of Pasco and nearby areas, partly inspired Riptide.
Last month, the project received zoning approval. The next step is submitting construction plans to the county.
The couple plan to use at least two nationally known water park designers: Amusement Leisure Worldwide and Whitewater Inc.
"People want to do something," Burich said of Pasco entertainment options. "And I believe I'm going to give them something to do."