New Rides and Community Focus All Part of New Management’s Vision for the Park
SEATTLE, Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Jeff Stock, successful Northwest entrepreneur and player with the original Seattle Sounders, announced today that he has returned to lead Wild Waves Theme Park in Federal Way, Washington. Stock owned and operated the park in the 1990s. He and his team were recently selected by the park’s current owner, CNL Lifestyle Properties, Inc. to resume management of the park starting immediately.
“Wild Waves is going to rock and roll again,” promised Stock. “We’re negotiating on a new water attraction for the 2011 season with more new rides to come in the near future. We plan to significantly upgrade the park and bring tons of fresh energy into the community. We are building on the strong relationships we have established here in the region to make sure that everyone coming out to the park this summer has an absolute blast!”
Jeff Stock has a long track record of successes in the Pacific Northwest. He grew up in Tacoma and played professional soccer for the Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps, Tacoma Stars and Seattle Storm from 1978 to 1989. Following his retirement from professional soccer, he became a real estate investor and business owner.
Stock originally purchased Enchanted Parks in 1991, investing in what was then a financially challenged entertainment complex that included Wild Waves Water Park and Enchanted Village Amusement Park. Stock’s innovative management style quickly pulled the park back to profitability during the 1990s. From 1992 to 2000, he dramatically improved and expanded the water attractions, added new thrill rides to the amusement park and introduced “Wild Thing,” the park’s first major roller coaster. Stock sold the business in 2000 to Six Flags.
“We’re assembling an experienced and energized management team,” continued Stock. “I am excited to be teaming up again with Todd Suchan, general manager at Wild Waves for 10 years and most recently general manager of the Space Needle’s operations. Todd will take on the critical role of general manager of Wild Waves. Together we will focus on upgrading the park’s guest experience, while reaching out to the community. If you are planning a corporate or personal event, day camp, youth group outing or just want to have an amazing summer experience, we want to welcome you at Wild Waves.”
Stock’s vision for Wild Waves Theme Park calls for several key steps:
- Reaching out to season pass holders with creative promotions and attractive incentives such as bringing back the popular season pass coupon book
- Finalizing plans for a new family water attraction for the 2011 season – the first new large attraction at the park since 2005
- Reinvesting in Wild Waves’ overall appearance
- Working with neighborhood and community groups to offer local youth summer employment
- Using social media to create an ongoing connection and dialogue with park guests by offering online promotions and information on park events and activities
“We are pleased to have Jeff Stock and his team on board to manage Wild Waves Theme Park for the new season,” said Byron Carlock, president and CEO of CNL Lifestyle Properties. “Jeff’s local roots are a key asset in our commitment to creating community-focused, quality entertainment destinations.”
“Wild Waves is going to be a ‘can’t miss’ part of the Northwest summer experience,” concluded Stock. “I invite folks to come down, see and feel the changes that we are making. Our hope is that the community will be excited about the direction of Wild Waves when they see the amount of energy and passion we are putting into the park.”
About Wild Waves Theme Park
Wild Waves Theme Park, the only combination theme park and water park in the Pacific Northwest, is located just off of I-5 in Federal Way. The park features more than 60 rides, slides and attractions on approximately 70 acres. It boasts the region’s largest wave pool, longest lazy river ride and largest wooden and steel looping roller coasters. Wild Waves employs nearly 1,000 people between May and October. The park opens for the season May 2011.
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