Splash Island a summer success for Carmike

Splash Island is making a big splash at the Hollywood Connection.

“We have had a fantastic response,” said Brad Arnholt, operations manager for Carmike Cinemas’ family fun center on Whittlesey Road in Columbus.

It is the lone outdoor activity at Hollywood Connection.

Splash Island has been so successful that Arnholt said there is talk of expanding it into next year.

The water park features five slides and first opened on the Fourth of July in 2015 and again in May this year.

Arnholt said money made from the first summer covered the cost of the slides.

“People are really enjoying it,” he said of the event, which attracts 400-500 people weekly.

The largest of the slides is 33-feet tall. Each holds up to 750 pounds.

“It is not just for kids,” Arnholt said.

You do have to be 42-inches tall, however.

He said child care centers have made good use of the attraction and it has become a hot spot for birthday parties.

Recently, Haley Caro of Phenix City held a birthday party there for her 7-year-old daughter Laney. They had been to Splash Island previously on Memorial Day.

“We stayed four hours and had a blast,” she said. “It was great fun.”

Besides the water slides, there is a large sand box for the little ones or you can stretch out and pretend you are at the beach.

“We are always looking for different attractions,” Arnhold said. “We began looking at this idea four years ago.”

No food can be taken in but there is plenty of food and drinks that are available for purchase, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pizza and ice cream.

Tables are abundant in the sun and shade.

Of course, Splash Island is only one activity. Arnholt said he wants Hollywood Connection to be the area’s main venue for family entertainment.

Besides the Ritz 13 movie theater, there is laser tag, mini golf, roller skating and approximately 30 arcade type games and rides.

Arnholt said while roller skating has always been the main attraction, golf has also been a big draw through the years. There will be a renovation soon on the course.

Arnholt said business at the Hollywood Connection is up over last year, which also saw growth over the year before.

Splash Island opens at 10 a.m. except Sunday when it opens at 11:30 a.m.

Sunday through Thursday it is open until 9 p.m. while on Friday and Saturday it is open until 11:30 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person. It is $6 after 6 p.m. and on Wednesdays.

This story was originally published July 19, 2016 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Splash Island a summer success for Carmike."