By ERIC STARLING/For the Reporter

PELHAM—Mark DiGiorgio has been teaching scuba diving for more than 30 years, so recently when given the opportunity to purchase the 27-acre former Dive Alabama site in Pelham, Mark jumped at the chance.

“The property has changed hands four or five times, and when it came up for sale this past year after being closed, I decided it was my time,” stated DiGiorgio.  “As the owner of Scuba Ventures in Vestavia, this seemed like the perfect fit and I had already been teaching here previously.”

Currently there is no plan to make the Pelham location into a full-blown dive shop, but there will be a small selection of items available at the facility.

Scuba Ventures will remain open and continue to provide everything needed for the avid diver or beginner.

To celebrate the grand opening of Blue Water Park, DiGiorgio threw a small party, featuring local band, Deputy 5. Folks came from all over to help kick things off.

For the last 15-20 years the facility has been scuba only, with training and certification classes being offered.  However, some in the crowd remembered spending time on the water in the ‘80s as they partied with friends and neighbors.

Ken Thornton has fond memories of living in Green Acres subdivision in the ‘80s and getting together with friends to head over to then called, Blue Water Adventures, to hear their favorite band, Telluride.

A small fee and bring your own cooler and guests were set for a day of swimming, floating and drinking with friends. Thornton said he was happy to see the new owner return the facility to its roots by naming it Blue Water Park.

For now, the facility will remain a dive training, certification and practice facility.

DiGiorgio said he and his staff will work to get through this first summer before determining if future additions or changes would be made to the offerings. He said he does believe that adding paddle boarding would fit well with the plans he has for the business.