OpenAire, a leading designer and manufacturer of retractable roofs and skylights, is continuing its long-term partnership with Liv Hospitality Group with the expansion and development of WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort in Rapid City, South Dakota, US.
Known as the gateway to Mt. Rushmore, Rapid City is situated to the east of Black Hills National Forest in Western South Dakota. Like other “gateway cities” it has always enjoyed a share of the tourism market passing through, but visitors traditionally did not stop for a stay en route to their camping holidays in the Black Hills.
Yet that has changed in recent years, and Rapid City’s growing complex of five family-friendly hotels and an indoor waterpark now boast an average occupancy rate of 100 percent during peak season, and even enjoyed a record-setting year in 2021 despite the pandemic. During the rest of the year, the same complex has an annual occupancy rate of 82% and is continuing to develop and expand despite the reduced volume of international travellers due to COVID travel restrictions.
This is all thanks to the ownership team’s vision and leadership.
A dedication to service & improvements
Liv Hospitality, the ownership team behind WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort, has ensured that it is providing something worth stopping for, as well as something to do, eat, and more. Guests passing through Rapid City now have a reason to spend a night or two in the city as part of their holiday, and the records indicate they do stop to stay.
WaTiki first opened in 2005. It is a complex of five hotels; Residence Inn & Suites, Fairfield by Marriott, La Quinta by Wyndham, Home2 Suites, and Courtyard by Marriott, alongside a 30,000-square-foot waterpark, and opening in 2023, a state-of-the-art event centre with more than 26,000 square feet of meeting space. The hotels and indoor waterpark are all interconnected via hallways
The waterpark is the biggest retractable roof waterpark in the state, with OpenAire’s expertise providing a naturally ventilated, year-round, sunny space that is full of fresh air and happy guests.
Guests at the resort can also enjoy Sliders Bar and Grill which is attached to the waterpark. This 210-seat bar and restaurant was added in 2010 and includes a portion of one of the slides (with clear fibreglass) where kids slide over the bar out and back into the park. The resort also offers a Starbucks, The Bistro Bar, meeting rooms and an arcade.
In 2015, needing more seating to meet the demand of a continually growing client base, WaTiki then added a 2400-square-foot seating and party venue to accommodate more guests and events.
In 2020, after a severe hail storm, the waterpark received new roof infill panels (polycarbonate). This was a quick 16-week replacement that required no park closures.
Lastly in 2021, due to unprecedented demand and attendance, it was finally time for the waterpark to get a facelift. Closed for seven weeks, the park was updated with new flooring, new paint on all the slides, new theme lighting so the park can be seen for miles, and a renovated washroom/changing room space. The park also installed a new Connect&GO RFID wristband system, interconnected with the hotel rooms and arcade and other resort amenities like lockers and food service.
A record year for tourism
The waterpark welcomes 120,000 visitors a year and the ownership team has a dedicated, yearly, service and improvement plan.
Following a lull in tourism in South Dakota in 2020, the state’s second-largest industry has rebounded successfully. According to the South Dakota Department of Tourism, the state saw a record year for visitation, which rose 26 percent from last year, with 13.5 million people exploring the state
The Liv Hospitality team has capitalised on this influx of tourism. The resort also boasts a new 1.5-mile walking trail, including illumination for nighttime strolls, as well as a conference centre, named THE BOX, that will offer Youth Sports, a dance competition space, gym, multi courts for volleyball, basketball, indoor soccer and more.
“Great friendly staff are the backbone to our success and are the reason guests return year after year to our resort,” says Kayti Ratigan, chief operating officer. “In addition to all of our wonderful amenities, we hear time and again that guests come here for our wonderful service. Our teams go above and beyond every day, guests feel safe, welcome, the space is clean, bright, friendly and fresh. There is always something new to discover and a helping hand when needed.”
“OpenAire has been a partner of the Liv Hospitality and WaTiki Indoor Waterpark Resort Teams since 2005,” says a statement from the company. “A testament to our relationship is the continued work and service we provide. Also known for our excellent service record and friendly team, we are proud to continue to work with this team to help them lead the way in waterpark resort planning, design, operations and management.
“Their success is our success and we are so pleased to be part of this amazing destination!”
In March 2022, OpenAire shared that Tower Investments Inc. has started the construction of a new $100 million indoor water park in Atlantic City. The 100,000-square-foot park will be called the Island Waterpark and is going to be located at the Showboat Resort Atlantic City. The waterpark is expected to open to the public in 2023.
The OpenAire team will be at IAAPA Expo Europe in London, which takes place at the ExCeL Centre from 12 – 15 September. They can be found at booth #2827, where they will be showcasing recent projects.
Nancy Patterson, OpenAire’s director of design and business development, will also be moderating the WhiteWater Presentation: Not your Parents’ Waterpark at IAAPA’s Waterpark day on 12 September. For more information and to buy tickets, please click here.
