Construction Update: RiverRacers and Splash River Junction
This summer Kings Island’s Soak City Water Park will debut first-of-its-kind thrills and chills with the addition of RiverRacers, the first and only dual-racing water coaster in Ohio, and seven new kids’ water slides in the riverside-themed kids’ play area, Splash River Junction. Hundreds of new loungers and chairs also will surround the new area with seating options in both the sun and shade.
Join us as we check in with the construction team to see how the project is going. Be sure to bookmark this page to see the latest construction updates!
April 8, 2025
More Progress at Splash River Junction
Early last week RiverRacers' structure was completed with every track piece for both courses lifted into place and attached to the ride. Between record-setting rainfall and high winds, crews then turned their focus to Soak City's newest kids' play area, Splash River Junction. A crane lifted each segment of the new water tower into place, which will sit in the middle of Bluegill Lagoon.
Both RiverRacers and Splash River Junction are expected to open when Soak City opens for the season on May 24.
April 1, 2025
RiverRacers Is Taking Shape!
On-site assembly of Ohio's first dual-racing water coaster has begun, and the construction team expects it to be done by the end of the week.
Pre-assembled segments of RiverRacers's course were transported to the construction site over the weekend. The favorable weather on Monday worked in the team's favor, with a crane methodically lifting parts into place throughout the day. More than 50% of the structure was completed before the end of Monday.
On Tuesday, sections of the 33-foot first drop were lifted into place and attached to the 40-foot-tall tower. Elements, including the 180-degree slingshot and gravity-defying mega-drop, were lifted into place next.
After RiverRacers is assembled, the team will turn its focus to Splash River Junction, where Bluegill Lagoon's Water Tower will be assembled; Salamander Sliders' seven new kids' slides will be added; and new premium cabanas will be built. Construction is expected to be completed in time for Soak City's opening on Saturday, May 24.
February 28, 2025
Water Coaster Assembly Begins!
Construction progress on RiverRacers and Splash River Junction is moving along well according to Kings Island's project managers. The water coaster's fiberglass panels arrived at the park two weeks ago, and although they have not been delivered to the construction site just yet, assembly has begun. Check out these photos from the Soak City parking lot and RiverRacers staging site where Ohio's first and only dual racing water coaster is beginning to take shape. Can you imagine yourself racing down these slides this summer?
February 12, 2025
Fiberglass Slide Delivery
Fiberglass panels for RiverRacers have started to arrive at the construction site, where assembly will begin in the coming weeks once all panels have arrived for both the new water coaster and Salamander Sliders' seven new slides. Crews also will turn their focus to Bluegill Lagoon where the activity pool's water tower feature will soon take shape.
January 29, 2025
Installation of Steel Supports and Stair Tower
The construction crew out at Soak City is taking advantage of the warmer weather this week by installing RiverRacers' steel supports and stair tower.
January 22, 2025
Site Prep and Foundation Work
With record-setting snowfall and sub-zero temperatures in January, it's hard to think about summer and the hot days it will bring. But, thanks to the hard work of Kings Island's construction team and contractors, we'll have the perfect ways to cool off when those days finally arrive!
This week we look at the RiverRacers and Splash River Junction construction site and some of the early prep work that's in progress.
RiverRacers' foundations have been formed and poured. The construction crew anticipates that installation of ride steel will begin soon, along with the steel stair tower. By the next construction update we will have the beginnings of the RiverRacers ride structure. The fiberglass slide will be delivered in just a few weeks.
Water pipes are staged in the Soak City parking lot and will be moved to the construction site and installed once work is completed on RiverRacers' stair tower and ride steel.
Soak City's pirate ship-themed Lookout Lagoon once stood in the middle of this photo, and now is where construction on Splash River Junction is moving along well. This new area will eventually have the new Bluegill Lagoon, complete with a water tower that's sprung (an intentional) leak or two, making it the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. Before work in this area can continue, work on the newly constructed pumphouse needs to be completed.
Soak City opens on May 24. Admission is included with your Kings Island park ticket or Season Pass!
