Developers have announced plans for a $650 million water park and sports complex on a site once reserved for a $1 billion Mohegan Sun’s casino resort.
The casino proposal was rejected by a referendum in 2013. Palmer Sports Group is now planning a detailed application for a $650 million water park on the 152-acre property.
The resort would feature indoor and outdoor sports facilities. There would be playing fields for soccer and field hockey, an ice rink and basketball courts.
There would also be a resort hotel with 450 rooms and two indoor water parks.
One of the water parks would be attached to the hotel. It would be the more expensive of the two, and water features would be part of the resort package.
The second water park will be less expensive. Its primary audience will be day trippers and those who are using some of the other on-site facilities.
A man-made tubing river has been proposed that would be one of the longest in the country.
25 million people are located within a three hour drive of the project, and 70,000 cars pass by the site each day.
Town Manager, Charles Blanchard, said: “I think it’s great. The concept of having the water parks and athletic complex may be a little different. We’d have to see what the requirements are.”
The team behind the project includes Winthrop “Trip” Knox. He has been involved in the design and construction of more than 3,000 water-related facilities for water parks, resorts and hotels.
The team also includes Michael J. D’Amato. His portfolio includes managing construction at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, including the Grand Pequot Tower. He also worked on the construction of Connecticut’s tallest building, City Place in Hartford.
The pair have a partnership called Native Waters Partners in Norwalk, Connecticut.
Skanska USA is signed on as project manager.
Image and videos courtesy ProjectPalmer.com
https://www.theday.com/business/20180905/palmer-mass-water-park-proposed-for-former-mohegan-sun-casino-site
