Slogan | Hawke's Bay's Number One Family Attraction! |
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Location | Hastings, New Zealand |
Coordinates | 39°38′39″S 176°51′49″E / 39.644041°S 176.863649°ECoordinates: 39°38′39″S 176°51′49″E / 39.644041°S 176.863649°E |
Opened | Opened as Fantasy Land in 1967, Splash Planet in 1998 |
Previous names | Fantasyland |
Operating season | Water rides-Summer (September–April) Other rides-All year round |
Area | 6.5 hectares |
Rides | |
Total | 12 |
Water rides | 7 |
Website | www.splashplanet.co.nz |
Splash Planet is an amusement park and water park located in the city of Hastings, New Zealand. The park was opened in its current form in 1998.
Fantasyland first opened in Easter of 1967. It contained several attractions, including a miniature railway, mini-golf, a steamboat ride, play structures, and flat rides. By the 1990s, the park was beginning to show its age, and the Hastings District Council proposed that it be redeveloped into a waterpark. At the time of its conception the council had decided that the park would be a money spinner and was certain that it would supplement the taxes that local residents paid. The park was also hoped to attract people from outside the region to visit the region and spend money not only at the park but also at local business within the city.
Before Splash Planet left the drawing board the Hastings District Council put the decision on whether or not Splash Planet would be built to public referendum. The referendum outlined a number of policies in an attempt to gain the locals' confidence. These policies included the fact that Splash Planet would be self-sustaining and would not cost the taxpayers any money.
The park contains several wet and dry attractions.
In late 2013 a major paintball event known as the Battle of Hastings took place at Splash Planet. It drew players from around New Zealand to compete in massive paintball battles. The event was held again in October 2014