From the Laconia Sun today:
Weirs Beach Water Slide to be torn down soon
- Published Date Thursday, 05 December 2013 01:30
LACONIA — The Weirs Beach Water Slide, among the most venerable and visible attractions at Weirs Beach, is slated for demolition early next year.
The owner, Robert Csendes of Bedford, doing business as 45 Endicott, LLC, said yesterday that he has nearly completed an application for a demolition permit and expects to raze the facility sometime in January. He explained that the attraction is in disrepair and costly to insure or renovate.
Csendes said that intends to lease the 2.4-acre property at the corner of Endicott Street North (Rte. 3) and Lakeside Avenue overlooking the iconic Weirs Beach sign where he would construct a building to suit the needs of a long-term tenant. He indicated that he has discussed the redevelopment of the site with several interested parties. At the same time, he anticipates leasing space on the property to vendors during Motorcycle Week in June.
The water park features four slides with a 75-foot drop, several waterfalls and a 110-foot tunnel passing through what is billed as the tallest man-made volcano in the world, marked by the remains of a crashed airplane protruding from its flank. The slides wrap around an 18-hole miniature golf course that meanders through the water park. According to a city property tax card, the attraction was built in 1979.
Cesendes acquired the property for $580,000 at auction in January, 2010 after Bank of New Hampshire foreclosed on the property when Lawrence Baldi,II, whose family had owned the water park since 1995, was defrauded by Financial Resources Mortgage, Inc. of Meredith and defaulted on loans totaling $703,000. The property is currently assessed at $540,900.
The other water park at The Weirs, Surf Coaster USA, which was built at the corner of White Oaks Road and Endicott Street East in 1983, closed after the 2006 season and has been for sale ever since.