The inaugural season for the renovated Cranberry Township Waterpark came to a fitting close on Labor Day, as hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the refurbished facility and take a break from temperatures that once again soared toward 90. The township spent $1.7 million over the winter on improvements to the park, which involved the addition of several features including a timing system on the slide, climbing wall and a 500-gallon dump bucket. According to Pete Geis, director of parks and recreation for the township, those attractions, combined with a mainly hot and dry summer, brought people to the North Boundary Park facility in record numbers. Final numbers weren't available. “Our memberships stayed pretty steady, and we probably would have liked to have seen those go up a little bit, but the daily attendance numbers absolutely went through the roof,� Geis said. “They at least doubled, it was unreal.� While weather played a factor, Geis said the new attractions were a big reason for the spike. And there was little doubt which attraction was the biggest. “It had to be the dump bucket,� Geis said. “The teenagers really liked the climbing wall, but for kids and families, the dump bucket was the big thing. They just loved it.� Township Manage Jerry Andree said the increase in attendance shows that the township's investment in the improvements should prove to be a wise one. In addition to the most obvious additions, the project also included improvements to the water filtration and distribution systems, separating the baby pool from the main pool and adding in-water benches. Concrete decks were replaced and the pool received a new Marcite finish. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive right from the start,� Andree said. “It just confirms what we believed going into this project.� The increased crowds brought new challenges, including longer lines at the concession stand, but Geis said they are already looking at ways to address those concerns for next year. They have sent surveys to township residents seeking their input on what changes they would like to see. “We did a great job of getting the people here this year,� Geis said. “Next year we will see if there are ways to manage those people a little better.� Vince Townley is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-772-6364 or vtownley@tribweb.com. Email Newsletters TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.