Making a splash! Facing foreclosure, New Hampshire waterpark owner chains himself to tower

CANDIA, N.H. – The owner of a New Hampshire waterpark facing foreclosure chained himself to the top of a slide tower and is hoping for a financial miracle.

In postings on his Facebook page, Kevin Dumont said he’s not looking for a handout, just a person or group of people to work with him to help prevent a Dec. 2 auction of Liquid Planet in Candia.

“I plan to stay up here until the bitter end,” he told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Dumont climbed to top of the tower on Monday afternoon and promises to stay there 24/7 to save the small business he created. He is hoping someone who is interesting in investing in part ownership will come forward. He also set up a GoFundMe page.

Two 40-foot slides at the park were shuttered in August when regulators found high levels of bacteria and said Dumont opened the attractions without a required review.

In a selfie posted on Facebook, the goateed Dumont wears a watch-cap emblazoned with “ARMY.” Behind him is the corner of a tent and a table laden with pantry stocks and a microwave oven. Not pictured: the portable toilet he is using, like campers do.

“Last night was a cold one, not gonna lie,” he wrote.

In another post, he thanks friends for pizza, beer and company and asks if anyone knows how to contact presidential candidates who’ve been blanketing the state.

Dumont plans to read books and keep up with emails and Facebook once the visits by friends, family and the media taper off.

“It’s not comfortable, but I’m making in through and it’s worthwhile to try to save this,” he said.