OpenAire, a leading designer and manufacturer of retractable roofs and skylights, has shared details of a new indoor waterpark in Frankenmuth, Michigan.
Frankenmuth is Michigan’s leading tourist destination and is home to the largest Christmas store in the US. With over three million annual visitors, Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” has activities for guests year-round.
Visitors this year can catch a glimpse of a massive new expansion taking place just over the wooden covered bridge at Bavarian Inn Lodge. While the hotel remains fully open and operational, the exciting construction is underway.
The $80 million project will include a huge new indoor water park and additional family entertainment centre (FEC) attractions like a 3-storey ropes course, rock climbing wall, laser tag arena and mini bowling.
This complex will become the largest indoor waterpark and family fun centre in Michigan. Michael Zehnder, president of Bavarian Inn Lodge, says that this development “will help us to advance our goal of creating fun and enjoyable experiences for all ages. We are reimagining family fun and see this as an exciting project for all of Frankenmuth.”
Maintenance-free skylight
Crowning the waterpark with its thematic facade, designed to match the existing historic Bavarian Architecture, will be an OpenAire skylight that brings sunshine into the new waterpark year round.
Built entirely in aluminium, the OpenAire skylight will provide owners with a maintenance-free space, that will look as good twenty years from now as it does on day one. This foresight by the owners means that they are eliminating a massive capital cost and renovation of the waterpark when future generations of the Bavarian Inn’s Zehnder family take over the reins.
Building any aquatic facility with aluminium is a pragmatic choice as it eliminates the rust and corrosion headaches seen in other indoor waterparks. It is not uncommon to hear about indoor waterparks having to replace and repair their buildings and roofs 8-10 years after they open.
OpenAire is so confident in the longevity and success of its aluminium structures that it includes complete long-term warranties in its pricing.
“We know that the only part of the indoor waterpark owners will NOT need to repair is the aluminum enclosure!!” says the firm.
While there is already a huge 160 redemption game entertainment complex, pools and two waterslides at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, the new waterpark will add a wave pool, 16 water slides, kids/toddler areas, a lazy river, private cabanas, and Michigan’s first adult swim up bar.
With over 37 years of operation and now managed by 4th generation Bavarian Inn Zehnder family members, the Bavarian Inn Lodge is continually growing and evolving to meet and exceed the expectations of guests. Rated the #1 resort in Frankenmuth on Trip Advisor, the attention to detail and German theming that is being included in this renovation will align seamlessly with the existing facility.
Openaire concludes: “With no stone left unturned, the Bavarian Inn Lodge team, and General Contractors RC Hendrick are full steam ahead on this historic project. OpenAire as always, is thrilled to be a part of such an iconic renovation and are looking forward to the opening of this new indoor waterpark.”
Earlier this year, OpenAire celebrated the opening of a new indoor retractable roof waterpark at Tropic Falls Waterpark at OWA in Foley, Alabama. The attraction features a theme park, sports complex, and retail and dining area.
