**News Release**

Thursday, June 3, 2004

Belmont Park in Mission Beach Opens
FlowRider® Simulated Wave Ride

Historic San Diego Landmark Set for $6 million Redevelopment

Download Word Document

Download Photos

SAN DIEGO -- Wave House, leaseholder of Mission Beach’s Belmont Park, today kicked off the $6 million phase one in the redevelopment of Mission Beach’s historic Belmont Park with the opening of the FlowRider® simulated surfing attraction.

In 2002, Thomas J. Lochtefeld, CEO of Wave Loch and Wave House, acquired the leasehold at Belmont Park with the intention of revitalizing the park by blending the original concept of a family-oriented amusement center with state-of-the-art boardsport entertainment and beach recreational amenities.

“ As a native San Diegan, Belmont Park provided me with more than just a place to hang out with my friends and family when I was growing up, it provided me with my first job,” said Thomas J. Lochtefeld, CEO of Wave House. “For over seventy-five years, Belmont Park has provided San Diegans and visitors with recreational and entertainment amenities. Today marks the start of the long overdue revitalization of one of San Diego’s historic recreational treasures.”

Belmont Park has a long and storied history, starting in 1925 when the Mission Beach Amusement Center was built by John D. Spreckels. Today, Belmont Park is located on seven beachfront acres with eight buildings and historic attractions including: the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of the only two remaining antique wooden roller coasters in California, and the Plunge, Southern California’s largest indoor swimming pool.

The $6 million phase one redevelopment of Belmont Park will include the athletic club’s FlowRider® Wave-In-A-Box, Wave House’s outdoor Beach Bar and Grille, new Mission Beach Police Satellite Office, $1 million aesthetic makeover to Belmont Park buildings and landscaping, and in 2005, the launch of Wave Loch Bruticus Maximus 10-foot barreling simulated surfing attraction.

“ Wave House’s vision for Belmont Park combines the historic character of Mission Beach, boardsport recreation, and modern technology to create the quintessential Southern California beach experience,” continued Lochtefeld.
Joining Wave House for the opening of the FlowRider® was San Diego City Councilmen Michael Zucchet, Scott Peters, and San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox. Opening day included a professional demonstration of FlowRider® by Bill "Beaker" Bryan, nine-time world skimboard champion, professional surfer, snowboarder and world champion flowboarder.

“ I’ve surfed, skateboarded, snowboarded, and skimboarded my whole life,” said Bill Bryan. “The FlowRider is probably my favorite thing to do. It’s a total adrenaline rush.”

###