Facing foreclosure, New Hampshire water park owner chains himself atop slide
Kevin Dumont says he’s “not crazy,’’ but the Liquid Planet Water Park founder has taken an unconventional strategy to save his floundering business.
Faced with foreclosure, Dumont has chained himself to the top of the Candia, New Hampshire park’s 30-foot water slide.
“I am doing this in a last ditch effort to save all that I have created,’’ Dumont announced Monday on Facebook. “The bank has foreclosed on me and is auctioning the property on December 2nd so I am staying up here to try and save it.’’
[fragment number=0]
[fragment number=1]
The 46-year-old Army veteran told the Union Leader he will stay chained to his water-slide perch 24/7 until he finds an “infusion of cash’’ to help pay off a $1.6 million bank loan or is forced off the property, which includes his home, when it is set to be auctioned.
“I am not looking for a handout but rather a person, group of people or a company that would partner with me, pay off the bank and save yet another small business from failing,’’ Dumont, who has equipped the top of the water slide with a tent, food, and supplies, said in his Facebook post.
In a phone call from his perch Tuesday night, Dumont told Boston.com the feedback has been “100 percent positive.’’
“I’ve had people texting me from Chicago, Cleveland, California, texting me their support,’’ he said.
A self-described optimist, Dumont said even he had doubts the ploy might attract an investor (or investors) that could save his waterpark.
“If you asked me yesterday before it started, I’d say like 10 percent,’’ he said of the odds. “Today, after all the support I’ve gotten, I’d say 50/50.’’
Liquid Planet opened in 2008 and struggled in its first seasons due to rainy weather. Last August, the park was temporarily shut down — by order of a local judge — after unsanitary levels of bacteria, including E. coli, were found in its two 40-foot vertical “Speed Slides.’’
Making matters worse for Dumont, both of his parents died within recent months — his mother in August and his father in October. Dumont said their passing made him, like anybody, re-examine his life.
“When they both passed, it made me determined not to let this happen,’’ he said.
After his first night atop the water slide — “ a cold one, not gonna lie’’ — Dumont posted an update Tuesday morning, thanking his supporters.
[fragment number=2]
“I just wanted to have a little business,’’ Dumont said Tuesday evening. “I took the money I made and put it to something I thought would be an asset to the community, that would bring jobs, and create memories. That’s why I started a water park — not a car wash or something.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com