A massive waterpark resort could be coming to North Texas if Kalahari Development LLC gets its way.
Officials in Allen are preparing to vote on a proposal from the Wisconsin-based developer. The Allen Economic Development Corporation (AEDC), which controls the land for the potential park, is working on lease agreements and economic incentive packages for the project.
“This project is a game-changing opportunity for Allen, providing community benefits that would last for decades,” said Allen Mayor Baine Brooks in a press release from the City of Allen. “Allen’s ease of access and thriving local amenities make it an ideal spot for Kalahari’s expansion to the Dallas-Fort Worth market.”
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions already has multiple locations throughout the United States, including Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; Sandusky, Ohio; Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; and Round Rock, right here in Texas. The company describes its waterpark resorts as “full service vacation destinations” that include meeting and convention spaces, family entertainment centers, luxury spas, restaurants, and, of course, plenty of water slides.
The new North Texas location will be a sizeable 1.2 million square feet, sitting atop a 123-acre site at the southwest corner of State Highway 12 and Stacy Road. Notably, it is expected to include a staggering 900 hotel rooms.
The Allen City Council is scheduled to vote on the plans this week and decide on an incentive package with future tax rebates, conditional on meeting certain milestones.
If given the green light to proceed during the February 25 vote, the project will proceed to the design and planning phase. That stage could last upward of 12 months and would include zoning approvals, a comprehensive development review, and input from Allen residents.
A feasibility study by Hotel & Leisure Advisors projected that the waterpark resort could generate 1,000 jobs and over $5 billion in economic impact during its first decade. Zooming out further, the City of Allen, the AEDC, and the Allen Community Development Corporation are projected to collect $390 million in tax revenue from the facility during its first 40 years.
“With its welcoming spirit, family-focused values and vibrant growth, Allen is a community that truly embodies what we stand for. While we do not have finalized plans at this time, we are encouraged by the positive discussions with the city and state representatives we’ve had up to this point,” Todd Nelson, CEO, owner, and founder of Kalahari Resorts, said in the city’s news release.