A water park that will soon be opened is already buzzing with all the activities it should offer.
The park will be close to the largest shopping mall in the country.
SUCCESS IN SWIMMING
The massive water park will open near the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, following the city’s approval of a tax subsidy for the $422 million project, according to the Star Tribune.
The park will open later this year, after years of construction and some setbacks.
“The attraction will feature the largest indoor pool and the largest indoor beach for a water park in North America,” said Port Authority Administrator Schane Rudlang.
The park will be called Mystery Cove, according to Axios Twin Citieswho obtained renderings of the site.
These drawings show that the park will feature a transparent roof, as originally planned, with one notable update – it will now be retractable.
This means it can be opened on hot days to “reduce energy costs,” according to the staff memo.
Drawings of the family attraction show lots of lounge chairs and slides.
Visiting the planned 320,000-square-foot park will cost $60, but Bloomington residents are eligible for a 25% discount.
The Bloomington City Council and Port Authority voted to create a tax increment financing district that would generate $105 million for MOA owner Triple Five’s development of the park.
Before the pandemic, the water park was said to cost $260 million in private costs, but due to labor shortages and other delays, the cost increased exponentially by 22%.
Kurt Hagen, senior vice president of Triple Five, told the Port Authority and City Council how the project will “strike a balance between retail and entertainment.”
He believes the proximity to the mall will give an economic boost to the region and create jobs.
The hotel industry is already the biggest generator of taxes in the city.
It is planned to install a parking ramp with 1,600 spaces, with space for a hotel and future commercial expansion.
FIRST OF ITS KIND
Triple Five has been building a water park since the 1980s – and the company has still set a high standard.
The park will be the first LEED-certified water park.
The area knows a thing or two about water — it has nearly 12,000 lakes and plenty of water-centric amenities.
“I have no doubt this will be a smashing success,” said Mayor Tim Busse.
Although Mall of America is not involved in bidding for the Expo, Triple Five has agreed to use increased tax revenue generated by the water park project to temporarily secure the land.
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