Story Created:
Sep 4, 2008 at 4:52 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 4, 2008 at 5:18 PM CST
(September 4, 2008)
ROCKPORT--Developers announce a mulitmillion dollar water park will be built in the Coastal Bend. They said it will bring hundreds of jobs and more tourism to the Rockport area when it opens next summer.
Officials said a water park is something the Coastal Bend economy has been missing. After years of trying, one group has finally decided to build one.
The Blue Lagoon Water Park will be built at the Pearl Street exit near Highway 35 in Rockport. The developer will be Seguin-based WaterPark Experts, a company known internationally for building water parks. It will have several theme rides on a 20 acre property, including slides, a lazy river and pools.
"It will have a variety of latest up-to-date type of water park facilities that you found in most of your major water parks," said Harold Haynes, who is the real estate agent that helped bring the water park project to Rockport
There also will be room to build a hotel and several restaurants. Realtors expect to see other economic development generating millions of dollars.
"If you look at this project at over a five year period, the economic impact will be absolutely unlimited," Haynes said. "It's just a great opportunity for the area."
Officials said WaterPark Experts picked the area because of its location.
"This location being on the outskirts, located right on the Bypass, in and out from any direction that you're coming from, we feel the location can't be beat," said Haynes.
This waterpark development is located in a remote location and developers said it meets the city's masterplan. Once this issue comes before city leaders, they expect it will have very little opposition."
"After the meeting with these folks last week, I briefed the City Council Members and I haven't heard any opposition from them," said Tom Blazek, the Rockport City Manager.
"But a water park for the region, just adds to that mix and makes everything cool a really cool thing for the visitors," said Diane Probst, who is the Rockport Chamber of Commerce CEO and President.
Developers hope to break ground next month and open up the water park by Memorial Day.
--Manuel De La Rosa, Area 3 News, mdelarosa@kiiitv.com
Sunday, Sep 7 at 1:54 PM Concerned Resident wrote ...
This announcement comes as quite a shock to many of us who live in this "remote area", which is only minutes from downtown Rockport. Living just 2 blocks from the area the waterpark is slated for, questions like traffic flow, water pressure, noise levels, disaster situations, and increased crime rates all come to mind. While it may be in Rockport's "master plan", it isn't what those of us who settled "on the outskirts", away from the noise, traffice and tourists had in mind.
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