It has been years since we have had a water park in the Las Vegas valley.and now we're getting not one, but two. Today, Cowabunga Bay unveiled its plans at a groundbreaking in Henderson. News 3's Sandra Gonzalez has the story.
HENDERSON, Nev. -- Cowabunga! A new waterpark is coming to Henderson, and construction is underway at Gibson and Galleria.
Cowabunga Bay would cover 23 acres and provide family fun for families as soon as Memorial Day weekend.
“You know as you look out all you see is today is rock and dirt, but you just imagine in a few months what an exciting attraction this is going to be and endless fun for a family,” said Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen.
The theme of the park is surf and beach. There will be three areas focused on Surf City, Aloha Hawaii, and the New Jersey Boardwalk. The waterpark will have waterslides, a lazy river, and lots of water attractions including something new called the “Wild Surf.”
“It is the world's biggest wave, you put four people in a tube and you slide down a wave and you kind of go back and forth and you oscillate back and forth with the wave,” said Shawn Hassett, a partner with Cowabunga Bay.
Children in Henderson are excited about the future park. Hyrum Howell, 10, can’t wait. He’s excited to watch people get scared.
“Probably just watching all the people scream as they go down the rides,” Howell said.
But Cowabunga Bay is not the only waterpark coming to the Las Vegas valley. Near Summerlin, Wet ‘n’Wild continues construction as well on South Fort Apache. It also expects to open Memorial Day weekend.
“Before we can put all the slides and the vertical work done, all the infrastructure has to be done. That’s what's been going on,” said Wet ‘n’ Wild spokeswoman Nancy Katz.
Leaders from both waterparks agree there is enough population in the Las Vegas Valley to support two waterparks, and that there is a need.
It has been many years since Wet ‘n’ Wild operated on the Strip, but soon people will be able to cool off at two parks.
While we are in the middle of a desert and in a drought, Cowabunga Bay says it recycles its water, and uses less water than a Strip hotel. Wet ’n’ Wild says it is working with the Southern Nevada Water Authority to make sure is conserving as much water as possible.
