FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2012
Contact: James Campbell, 714.227.1011, James.Campbell@ocpw.ocgov.com
Board Makes a Splash! County of Orange Agrees to 25 Year Lease to Bring Wild Rivers Back to Irvine at Orange County Great Park
(Santa Ana, CA) — The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a lease with Wild Rivers today to construct and operate a new water park in Irvine on County property.
Located at the former MCAS El Toro, the 17 acre park will be constructed across from The Great Park on property the County received after the former Marine Corps Air Station closed. Wild Rivers’ previous lease with the Irvine Company expired last year after operating successfully for 27 years on Irvine Company property adjacent to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater.
“This is an exciting opportunity,” said Orange County Supervisor Bill Campbell. “The new and improved Wild Rivers will be a complement to The Great Park and an asset for Orange County.”
The County anticipates receiving at least $30 million over the term of the 25 year lease. The water park is projected to open in May 2014. Wild Rivers will create more than 800 part-time jobs, with many being filled by local high school students.
“This represents a good balance of generating revenue, creating jobs and preserving a popular Orange County business,” said Supervisor Patricia Bates.
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