The Texas waterpark Epic Waters has won a Leading Edge Award at this week’s WWA Show in Las Vegas.
There to celebrate the win along with the City of Grand Prairie at the World Waterpark Association (WWA) event on October 24 were WhiteWater, American Resort Management, OpenAire, and Ramaker.
WhiteWater’s contribution to the indoor waterpark, which debuted in January, includes a striking slide complex and an interactive play structure. Featured among the selection are several “firsts” – both for the US and worldwide.
Epic Waters
One of Epic Waters’ most iconic features is its Constrictor + Boomerango combo, the world’s first inner tube fusion slide. The 80,000 square feet facility is also home to the 69ft (21m) high LassoLoop, the States’ tallest indoor AquaLoop. Meanwhile AquaNaut is North America’s first 2-person inner tube AquaSphere.
In addition, Epic Waters houses a 4-lane mat racing Whizzard slide named E Racers and a 60ft+ freefall slide. The latter sees guests reach speeds of up to 38 mph (61km/h). Keeping the kids happy is Rascal’s Roundup, an AquaPlay 1050 structure from WhiteWater. All this is housed beneath a single retractable roof by OpenAire.
Public-private success story
WWA’s Leading Edge Awards are awarded to either individuals or particular parks/projects. To win, they must demonstrate themes, facilities, products, services or operational concepts that are new to the water attractions industry.
Epic Waters is cited as a ground-breaking project that demonstrates what the public and private sector can achieve together. Residents of Grand Prairie voted for a quarter-cent sales tax to fund the project. Private vendors then stepped in to collaborate with the city on a “dream park for citizens”.
“WhiteWater is proud to be part of this ‘parks and rec’ facility that is on par with any private park in the US,” says a company spokesperson.