Staff Report

GURNEE, Ill.–  Six Flags Great America has received the last vote from the Rock Valley College approving the final of 11 real estate tax abatements on the Magic Waters property.

Six Flags Great America now has the necessary approvals to begin managing Magic Waters Waterpark near Rockford, Illinois. The leasing agreement will officially begin on April 1, 2019 and will allow the largest regional theme park company in the world and the largest water park operator in North America to bring its
unique and innovative brand to Rockford.

Magic Waters, a 43-acre facility, has been owned and operated by the Rockford Park District since 1988. The park features a wide array of tube slides and body slides, an expansive children’s play area, a 1,200-foot lazy river and Tsunami Bay, Illinois’ largest wave pool.

“We are excited to add Magic Waters Waterpark to the Six Flags family of parks and continue to foster a great partnership with the Rockford Park District,” said Six Flags Great America Park President Hank Salemi. “We look forward to the many opportunities we will have with Magic Waters and the community. We can now offer tremendous added value to guests of Magic Waters by including Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor in their Magic Waters Combo Season Passes.”

Six Flags Great America plans to begin the hiring process for the newly acquired water park after the first of the year.

“Privatizing Magic Waters Waterpark was something our community told us should be a priority to achieve,” Park District Executive Director Jay Sandine said. “I cannot think of a better organization to partner with than Six Flags Great America as they have been outstanding to work with and our mission, vision, and service expectations align. They are the industry experts and will have more resources to invest in the water park.  The District will now be able to invest its limited resources into our communities’ priorities for 2019 and beyond such as parks, paths, free family events, and youth.”

Magic Waters and Six Flags Great America Combo Season Passes and Memberships are on sale now. Guests will enjoy the benefits of a Season Pass or Membership at Magic Waters Waterpark and receive free admission to Six Flags Great America and Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee. R.