Schlitterbahn plans $60 million Cedar Park resort

Jan 27, 2010

Austin American-Statesman

The city of Cedar Park Thursday is expected to announce plans for a new Schlitterbahn Waterpark and resort.

The park would be on about 95 acres near the intersection of RM 1431 and Toro Grande Boulevard and west of Raley Road, according to a Cedar Park Economic Development Corp. meeting agenda.

Schlitterbahn spokesman Jeffrey Siebert would not disclose details of the proposed park and resort, but said it would be the company’s fifth park and its second largest in acerage. He said that the cost of the project would be more than $60 million, but would not specify how much more.

“It is a resort destination that we’re announcing tomorrow, not just a water park,” Siebert said. “So, it’s much more elaborate than what most folks think we’re announcing.”

A representative of the city of Cedar Park was not available for comment this morning. City officials sent out a press release this morning announcing that the city council will hear a presentation of the water park plans on Thursday at a 5:30 p.m. Cedar Park council meeting at the Cedar Park Public Library, 550 Discovery Blvd.

Schlitterbahn Waterparks also runs parks in New Braunfels, South Padre Island, Galveston Island and Kansas City, Kan.

The addition of a water park would be the latest effort by city officials to transform Cedar Park from a bedroom community into a what members of the council regularly refer to as a “destination city.”

Last year, the city completed work on the $55 million, 181,640-square-foot Cedar Park Center, at New Hope Drive and the 183-A tollway. The center is home to the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars and also hosts events such as concerts. It is the third largest indoor mixed-used venue in Central Texas.