Though early into the 2016 season, officials at Silverwood Theme Park in North Idaho say they could experience a record-setting year for attendance based on early sales.

“We’re up about 8 or 9 percent in sales of season passes and other group discounts, based on this time last year,” says Mark Robitaille, director of marketing and communications at the theme park in Athol, Idaho.

“We’re extremely excited about 2016,” Robitaille says. 

The 2016 season kicked off the weekend of May 7-8.

Robitaille says Silverwood, about 30 miles north of Coeur d’Alene on U.S. 95, now offers more online discounts than ever before.

“We’ve stopped selling tickets directly in Costco stores and have moved more sales directly to our website,” Robitaille says.

The regular general admission price at the gate is $48 per person. Prices for children aged 3 to 7 and for seniors over 65 will be $25 a day.

Silverwood doesn’t disclose annual revenues.

Robitaille says Silverwood was on a record attendance pace last year before regional wildfires kept park goers away in August.

“August is traditionally our biggest month, with 40 percent of all attendance for the year occurring then,” Robitaille says. “The wildfires knocked us down about 10 percent last August.”

Overall attendance the last few years has averaged about 679,000 users, including those attending the Scarywood attractions in the weeks leading up to Halloween. “We’ve been generally flat, or up or down give or take a percentage point.”

Silverwood typically employs 1,400 people throughout the season. On peak days in August, up to 800 employees can be on the grounds at one time.

Additionally, Robitaille says the completion of major infrastructure projects both inside and outside the theme park make for a promising 2016 season.

Silverwood’s water park, Boulder Beach, has a new water slide called Riptide Racer. The forward-facing ride can hold up to six racers abreast hurtling down a slide head first into a wave pool, he says.

In the theme park, the Corkscrew has been refurbished, and the wooden rollercoasters, Timber Terror and Tremors, have all-new tracks, Robitaille says.

Outside the park, Silverwood upgraded its recreational vehicle park with the installation of new picnic tables, gravel pits, play structures for kids and improved plumbing and heating.