Breakers adds customers, revenue

But now that the 100-plus-degree temperatures have set in, Tucsonans might be dismayed to find their options for slides, pools and other wet fun are slimmer this year.

Wyatt's WaterWorld, at 3551 S. San Joaquin Road, closed this year, leaving Breakers Water Park, in Marana, as the only water park in the region.

The closing of WaterWorld and the population boom in Marana have helped Breakers post strong increase in sales so far this summer, said Steve Miklosi, the park's general manager. The heat is also a big help, he said.

Revenue is up by about 15 percent, a higher-than-typical increase for water parks, he said. The park has also already sold more season passes so far than it did all of last year, he said.

"If we stay at the pace we're on, this will by far be our finest season," he said.

On Thursday afternoon, a day when temperatures hit 105 degrees, numerous families with children were chilling out in the wave pool and playing on the slides at Breakers, at 8555 W. Tangerine Road.

Southwest Side resident Diana Alarcon, who came to the Breakers with children and family members, said she used to frequent WaterWorld because it was closer to her home.

She was disappointed WaterWorld closed because it was less expensive and allowed families to bring their own food, which is forbidden at Breakers. Thursday's visit might be the only trip to Breakers this year for Alarcon and her family.

"We would probably come more if it was less expensive," she said. "There's just so many of us."

Admission at Breakers is $16.95 for anyone 12 years old or older, but $6-off coupons for those tickets are available at many retailers and on the park's Web site, http://www.breakerswaterpark.com.

Admission for children 4 to 11 years old is $10.95, and admission is free for children 3 and under.

Adult admission was $12.95 at WaterWorld, but families were encouraged to bring their own food and beverages, said owner Pericles Wyatt.

Wyatt said his park, with its handmade slides and ordinary pools, was a "low-key family destination," popular for birthday parties and special events.

But it couldn't offer the type of attractions available at Breakers, he said.

"It wasn't the highlight of anybody's summer," Wyatt said of WaterWorld. "But it was a nice place to spend four or five weekends, and come again and again."

Wyatt said business was good, but he closed WaterWorld because of rising expenses and because of problems with his wife's health.

Business at Breakers is expected to grow, however, and the park will likely grow along with it, Miklosi said. He is already picking out a new slide that might be added if business stays strong this year.

"We know what we want to do as far as expansion," he said. "Put new stuff in and try to respond to the market."

Did you know...

• Wyatt's WaterWorld was originally Justin's WaterWorld, and was opened by Neal Justin in the late 1970s. It started with just one slide and one pool. It was purchased by Pericles Wyatt about nine years ago. The owner announced in May that the park was closing.

• Breakers Water Park opened in 1982. It was originally scheduled to open Memorial Day, but construction delays and other problems pushed back the date until Labor Day.