CATSKILL, New York (April 22, 2008) – The Zoom Flume Water Park in East Durham, New York plans to build a giant wave pool starting this Spring that will help bring additional visitors and jobs to Greene County when it opens for the Summer 2009 season. Expected to cost nearly $1 million when it is complete, the project is being financed in part by a low-interest Quantum Fund loan from Greene County.

"Wave pools are the hottest new trend in water parks," said Denise Kerrigan, who owns Zoom Flume and the adjacent Country Place Resort with her husband Ed Kerrigan and Frank and Claire Aragona and Glenn Aragona. "The public was really clamoring for one and Zoom Flume needed an exciting new attraction to keep it vital."

"Zoom Flume is one of Greene County's premiere summer tourist attractions," said Wayne C. Speenburgh, Chairman of the Greene County Legislature. "It makes sense for us to invest in the future of this family-owned business as they invest in themselves."

"It is heartening to see the continued expansion of one of Durham’s key businesses and I applaud Zoom Flume's initiative to keep current and remain competitive,” said Greene County Legislator Sean Frey.  "Tourism is vital to Greene County's economic health and this project makes excellent use of our revolving loan fund."

Karen Deyo, Chairperson of the Government Operations Committee and Legislative representative to the Economic Development Committee, noted: "Greene County also owes a debt of gratitude to the Economic Development Committee. This is a volunteer board of bankers, business executives and local leaders who review all of the loan applications and make recommendations to the Legislature. They work tirelessly on behalf of the county and their expertise is invaluable."

Zoom Flume currently employs five people full-time and 77 people part-time. When the new wave pool and related amenities open next summer, the water park expects to create 8 additional full-time positions and 51 additional part-time positions.

The new wave pool will use state-of-the-art wave generating technology, according to Mrs. Kerrigan. Developed by American Wave Machine, Inc. in Solana Beach, California, the wave machine to be used in the Zoom Flume pool employs air to generate five different types of ocean waves.

The fan-shaped pool will be located across the new pedestrian bridge near the County Place Resort and will overlook the water park. Measuring about 150-feet long by 100-feet wide, it will be roughly half the size of a football field and will hold upwards of 14,000 gallons of water. Swimmers will be able to enter the pool at zero depth – similar to a beach – and the water only gets as deep as five feet. A small loop off the side of the pool will create a lagoon-like area for small children where the waves will be very gentle. A large apron will surround the pool for lounge chairs and umbrellas and there will also be a 5-foot lifeguard walk around the perimeter.

"We picked the Country Place side of the property because it's a perfect site for the pool," explained Mrs. Kerrigan. "It has beautiful topography and overlooks the entire water park across the ravine. It's a very pretty place with a spectacular view and it also gets great sun all day long, so it's ideal for sunbathing," she added.

Plans call for the addition of food service, a gift shop, bathrooms and a first aid station near the new pool. In addition, the park's front entrance and existing gift shop with be expanded in tandem with the project. Future plans call for construction of family suites around the pool – possibly as early as 2011.

The project will be financed by a $350,000 Quantum Fund loan from Greene County, as well as a loan from the Bank of Greene County. This is the fifth loan the water park has received from Greene County's revolving loan program as it has continued to grow and expand since the Aragona family established the business in 1981.

"We couldn't have done this project without the support of Greene County and the local banks," Mrs. Kerrigan noted. "It was critical. We have a great partnership with the county and it is the collaborative effort that will make this possible," she added.

Frank Alguire, Greene County Economic Developer, concurred, commenting: "One of the goals of Greene County's recently adopted economic development plan is to attract and enhance tourist destination projects. The expansion at Zoom Flume fits that mission nicely. It has been our pleasure to act as a catalyst for their investment and to have a close working relationship with the owners as they have grown their business."

Warren Hart, Director of Greene County Planning and Economic Development, stated "As the largest industry sector in Greene County, tourism is key to our economic growth," Mr. Hart said. "We clearly benefit from our proximity to the New York metropolitan area and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities, but we face mounting challenges with changing trends in the travel industry. We must continue to invest in our tourism infrastructure to remain competitive."

Zoom Flume Water Park, which opens this year on June 14 for Father's Day, offers a variety of giant winding water slides, as well as both a Wild River Ride and Lazy River, Black Vortex, Mighty Anaconda, Grand Prix Splashway and Lagoon Activity pool. The family- oriented park caters to groups, camps, school groups, family reunions, birthday parties and others. Last year, the water park had approximately 50,000 guests.

For more information on Greene County Planning and Economic Development, call (518) 719-3290 or visit www.greeneeconomicdevelopment.com. For details on Zoom Flume Water Park, visit www.zoomflume.com.