Splash boat is making waves again
RIDE IS BACK AFTER £250,000 OF WORK
IT IS a sign that summer is on the way.
Hull’s historic splash boat – a much-loved feature for many down the years – has returned to East Park after a £250,000 renovation.
The listed water chute is one of only three left in England and has been providing thrills for visitors for almost 100 years.
Specialist amusement ride contractors John H Rundle has spent time carrying out detailed design and restoration to the boat, chute and boathouse.
Additional work has also taken place to fully automate the ride and install pumps to ensure continuous water flow in the basin.
Hull Council’s portfolio holder for leisure and culture, Coun Dave Craker, said: “To see the splash boat back home and looking better than ever is really satisfying.
“The ride is so special, not just
It means we can have another 100 years of this star attraction. Coun Dave Craker, Hull’s portfolio holder for leisure and culture.
to the park but to Hull and it was vital that we invested in it for future generations.
“The work to automate the splash boat means we can hopefully have another 100 years of families enjoying this star attraction.”
The splash boat will reopen once testing is complete and Covid-19 restrictions allow the safe return of visitors.
Over the years thousands families have had rides on the splash boat, which began operating in 1929.
It was removed in early 2020 to allow renovation work to be carried out.
East Park opened to the public on June 21 1887 – the day the country celebrated Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.
The Heritage Lottery Fund contributed £6.4m to the renovation project, which was completed in 2008.
The Grade II-listed Splash Boat also underwent a £35,000 restoration in 2012.