Order Blocking Opening of Wild Rivers Upheld

An Orange County Superior Court judge Tuesday let stand an order blocking today’s scheduled opening of the Wild Rivers at Lion Country amusement park until the operators can increase their liability protection by $4 million.

The Irvine Co., which owns the land, won the restraining order last week when it claimed that Wild Rivers had failed to provide the $10 million in insurance the developers promised last year. Thus far, the operators, American Sportsworld Inc. and the Splash Inc., have secured only $6 million in liability coverage.

Judge G. Harmon Scoville said Tuesday that he might be persuaded to lift the order if park operators could provide guarantees that they have enough financial resources to cover possible future liability claims. He scheduled another hearing for today.