After featuring Sports World’s fast fading offices and facilities in Parts 1 and 2 respectively, it’s finally time to take a look at the now bankrupt business’s once well maintained, and especially well equipped, world of water.
Large, and in a leafy location, the sprawling complex certainly didn’t make any cuts when it came to equipment, but it is now difficult at times to differentiate between what was classed as inside, or out,
although the main outdoor pools once looked as amazingly lovely as this.
However, a mere decade after the doors were closed, it’s now a decidedly different sight,
with graffiti rather than good times the main attraction.
And, rather bizarrely, particularly considering the time period it was operating in, a fair few of the staff were foreign.
Yet somehow even their blue eyes and bleached blonde hair didn’t do the business, especially if one considers that the above picture was taken only three years after the complex opened. So, even if the place now looks very different, there’s at least one thing that the current state still has in common with its past — a considerable lack of customers.
Meaning that despite its size, there’s a distinct possibility that the slide seldom saw much use.
Although considering the once movable medical facilities,
that was maybe just as well.
But, regardless of how pathetic the place has become, it’s nice to see that politeness, however put on, is still paramount.
And that, at least as far as Sports World is concerned, is that. But, for those who missed them and wouldn’t mind a meander, parts 1 and 2 can be found here and here.
Gregory says
What, are you kidding me? With those tan lines and dark roots, I can’t believe the foreign staff weren’t attracting HUGE numbers of visitors!
Michael says
Are those slides intact? Could one, say, lay on a skateboard and make it to what I’m sure is a rather sharp drop-off at the dry pool bed at the end?
Lee says
It’s not something I’d care to try myself Michael, but yeah, they seemed pretty much intact. So whizzing down on a skateboard could well be possible.
Not advisable mind, but possible nonetheless.
Magnus369 says
Since I’m not too familiar with the area (being in alaska does have a few disadvantages), was it just lack of customers that killed this place, bad management or location? From looking at it, I’d honestly love to get my hands on it, but I doubt seriously it would be for anything as a public attraction. I’ve been digging through google maps to try an get an overview of the area, but so far I’ve not managed to find the resort itself.
Jason says
I like the “before and after” shots of the same area of the water park Lee. Did you take the before shots as well, long ago?
I love waterparks. As a kid and teenager in Florida they were great places to hangout and meet girls. The slides were of course fun too.
Lee says
If you click here Magnus369, it’ll take you to an overview of the place on Google maps.
Also, I’m guessing it was simply just a lack of customers. Especially as with so many outdoor facilities, it wouldn’t have been able to open most of the year. Not fully anyway. Not very well thought out really…
And Jason, I wish I had. How good would it be to have seen some of these places in their prime? It is nice having the pics though, to see just how fancy the place once was.
Actually, timing wise I could have managed it, as from what we could work out with calenders and the like, it probably closed a few months after I arrived in Japan. So it could so easily have been me flaunting my pasty skin in the picture. Although not in a swimsuit I hasten to add!
Tornadoes28 says
Too many amusement parks, a declining population, a decade of economic stagnation, all lead to many, many amusement parks around Japan closing down. And a lot of other places as well. That’s why haikyo is so good in Japan.
John R says
Fantastic series! I linked to it here: http://djgnosis.wordpress.com/2009/01/05/attention-skaters-abandoned-water-park-awaits-you/
Thanks for sharing!
Dorela says
amazing! thanks for share!