Pokhara is already popular for its wide array of water sports options. But with the mercury rising as the summer approaches, locals and tourists now have a new way to beat the heat—the Lake City’s very first water park, Big Splash.

Spread out over 13 ropanis in Kudahar, Pokhara, Big Splash has been built with an investment of Rs 110 million and includes four rides for adults and three for children, in addition to two fountains. The park was launched on the Nepali New Year’s Day and has been in operation for a month.

According to Amit Raj Mulmi, the managing director of the park, Big Splash has been built keeping tourists, particularly domestic tourists, in mind. “Pokhara attracts a large number of domestic tourists from the Tarai belt and from states in north India, we are hoping to cater to this sector, apart from offering Pokhara locals one more recreational option in their city,” he said.

When asked why it has taken Pokhara so long to start its first water park, Mulmi said, “Water parks need large investments and have high operation costs. Besides, water parks are seasonal attractions. But we have been buoyed by the response Big Splash has received over the past month and hope that this project spurs other entrepreneurs to add to the variety of experiences available in Pokhara.”

Surya Thapaliya, of Nepal Tourism Board’s Pokhara office, hailed the positive impact attractions like Big Splash will have on the Lake City’s tourism economy. “Though the water park is just starting out, we can already tell it is going to be a great addition to Pokhara’s line-up of attractions, for both domestic and international tourists,” Thapaliya said, “It is great to see entrepreneurs willing to make substantial investments like this. It adds diversity to the options available to tourists, making Pokhara a city that has something for all kinds of tourists.”

Bharat Parajuli, the vice president of Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN)-Pokhara, also welcomed Big Splash’s recent launch. “With the water park now open, tourists, particularly domestic tourists and visitors who have come to Pokhara to escape India’s searing summers, can now add one more day to their itineraries,” he said, “We are looking forward to supporting novel initiatives like this and hope that it becomes an example for other entrepreneurs to invest in new ideas in Pokhara.”