Deep River Water Park in Merrillville announced that it was closing for the season a few days before its power was restored on Aug. 19.
Although power was restored to the park on Aug. 19, the park announced that it was closed for the season on Aug. 15, due to the time it would take to clean up debris, complete repairs and filter all the water. Photos posted to the park’s Facebook page showed that its sign was damaged and there were damaged umbrellas from the Aug. 11 storms. The lazy river alone would have to be power washed, sanitized, filled and water brought back to balance, according to a park post.
The park advised customers that if they have a deposit down on anything since the storm hit, that it will be refunded as soon as possible.
All tickets purchased in packages, won through radio contests or from days when the park had to close will be valid in 2027.
In a Post-Tribune article published a day before the storm hit, Lake County Parks CEO Jim Basala discussed the challenges of maintaining attendance at the water park due to a combination of bad weather days and more entertainment options.
This year, June saw a lot of rain and chillier weather, Basala said.
“It seemed as though we could never get a cycle of having really good hot, dry days on the weekend. It helps when you can string two, three, four days into summer,” Basala said.
The park used to be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, which is 102 days, Basala said, but the waterpark has started decreasing its operating hours because staff start going back to college earlier. This season, the park was open for 84 days.
It is scheduled to reopen on May 28, 2027.
Post-Tribune reporter Alexandra Kukulka contributed.
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