By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

A proposal for a commercial water park off Candia’s Raymond Road has drawn some concerns from nearby residents about potential traffic congestion and noise.

Liquid Planet, a small Dover-based developer headed by Kevin Dumont, is proposing the water park for a 43-acre industrial parcel on Raymond Road’s north side, east of Deer Run Road.

The planning board discussed the plan at its Wednesday, July 19, meeting, at which a number of residents voiced concerns over the commercial project.

“Most of the concerns seem to be about the traffic and the noise,” said planning board Chairman Mary Girard.

Girard also said some concerns have popped up from conservation officials who are especially intent on protecting a buffer zone leading to the North Branch River, which runs along the north end of the Raymond Road property.

Dumont said he’s already agreed to trim down the original proposal of 750 parking spaces to accommodate the early requests from the conservation commission.

Dumont suggested the plan is much smaller than other well-known commercial water parks in New England.

The proposal includes a waterslide tower with four slides, one large pool for swimming, and a 5,000-square-foot “sprayground,” a shallow concave pool with spray toys for children.

Also proposed is a main building to house amenities like restrooms and concessions.

The park itself is planned to occupy 2 to 3 acres, some of which would be designated for picnicking and a lounge chair area.

The park would be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer months, and would be staffed with emergency medical technicians, certified lifeguards and security, Dumont said.

“Obviously safety is our biggest concern in general,” he said. “We’re not looking to build this business in a way that it’s going to disrupt the community.”

Dumont said he expects the park to draw an additional 150 cars a day down Raymond Road, and said his company has a detailed traffic study underway.

In a letter to the planning board, Police Chief Michael McGillen said his main concern was indeed traffic, especially as the town plans to build its new transfer station and recycling center on nearby Deer Run Road.

The board tabled discussion on the proposal until a meeting on Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., at Moore School.

“We’re going to give the whole night to (Liquid Planet) because there have been a lot of concerns,” said Girard.