ABOUT THE PANELIST

William (Bill) L. Haralson is the principal of William L. Haralson & Associates Inc., which he founded in 1981. The Alto, N.M.-based economics consulting firm specializes in market and financial feasibility studies for waterparks and other types of recreation and entertainment attractions. Since conducting his first water attraction feasibility study, Haralson has conducted nearly 1,000 studies for wave pools, waterparks and hotel/waterpark resorts. Prior to founding WLHA, he worked 10 years for Economics Research Associates. Haralson is a graduate of the University of Missouri.

 

Owner: Lake County Parks

Year opened:1995

Size: 6 acres

Retail price of adult 1-day ticket: $22.95

Staff:Approximately 200, peak season

Opened in 1995, Deep River Water Park has consistently attracted attendance of approximately 200,000 to 250,000, despite being located in a rural area of Lake County, Ind. The population within 15 miles is only approximately 533,000, but the park has managed to prosper by marketing to a regional market that extends into the Chicago suburbs. Deep River has three signature rides: The Storm, an enclosed tube ride with three flumes; Cannon Bowls, double dueling bowl rides; and the Courthouse, a tree-house play structure heavily themed after the historic Crown Point Courthouse, located about 10 miles southwest of Deep River.