Birch Bay Waterslides announces reopening date

Birch Bay Waterslides plans to re-open on Saturday, June 14 for the first time since it closed in late August 2023.

The opening date of the 40-year-old water park was announced on May 14 via social media. Single-day ticket sales were also announced.

The park was closed in August 2023 after Burlington resident Larry Baker was injured while going down the Hairpin slide when his legs went through a splash guard, causing lacerations that required him to be airlifted to a Seattle hospital. Baker is in an active lawsuit with the water park and Whatcom County, among other defendants.

The Hairpin slide was removed from the park.

“It’s a sad scenario that occurred, for sure. Unfortunately, it occurred. With that being said, I’m glad the person is OK at this time,” said Ken Handler, the park’s new consultant. “The new team has made every effort to reestablish the park to the guidelines and the standards of the industry, and we’ve done a fantastic job doing that. We can’t wait to showcase the park to everybody.”

Last November, Birch Bay Waterslides announced the park would undergo a five-year renovation and that it was entering a management partnership with Global Management Amusement Professionals (GMAP), a California-based consulting company that Handler owns. Handler has nearly 40 years of experience in the water park industry, which includes opening the Hurricane Harbor water parks at Six Flags and providing consulting to over 100 park locations.

Handler said the park is replacing the park’s drop out slide, the Hydro Cliff, because it was made by two different manufacturers.

The company is continuing repair and refurbishment work on the complex, including refurbishing and repainting the fiberglass slides in bright colors. PM Northwest and Total-Western, Inc. are conducting welding and structural upgrades. There will also be renovations to the facility, including to the locker rooms, concession stand, volleyball court and the exterior of the main building. Staff has been hired, trained and is in the process of becoming certified.

As part of its five-year plan, Handler said the park hopes to bring new attractions and ingrain itself more into the community. Starting this year, the park will have family nights on Friday evenings and live entertainment.

Every year before the season begins, the Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) department will require Birch Bay Waterslides to submit an engineering report to the county health and planning departments as well as self-inspection and maintenance records to WCHCS. The county health department will also conduct an inspection before the park reopens. This follows a compliance agreement regarding engineering studies and remedial work that needed to be finished prior to the company receiving its operating permit.

The park is planning a celebration weekend for its 40th anniversary in July, with more details to be announced in the future.

“We have a very exciting summer coming up, and we look forward to having everyone coming back,” Handler said. “I hope they have a great, great time. We know they will.”

This article was updated on May 21 to include  information from  Ken Handler that was published in the May 22 print issue.