Branson Adventures, a $446m, 122-hectare water park resort and white water rafting facility, has been proposed for Branson, Missouri.
An overview of the project obtained by the Branson Tri-Lakes News shows a 9,300sqm indoor, climate-controlled water park and resort with 350 guest suites, 215 cabins and 75 RV campsites.
Branson Adventures would also feature 5,100sqm of outdoor water park and white water rafting facility as well as 2,800sqm of meeting space. The project is being developed by CP Branson LLC.
David Cushman, managing member of CP Branson, told the Tri-Lakes News: “Indoor water park and white water adventure combined don’t exist anywhere else in the world as far as we know.
“This is a mega resort. A very large indoor water park, and combining that with white water, it’s going to appeal to thrill seekers and give an added dimension to the Branson offerings.”
Approximately 75% of the $446m capital investment to develop the park will be privately funded, Cushman said. CP Branson is seeking Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to aid with the costs of construction.
A TIF would allow a portion of taxes collected within the project to go toward paying off bonds used to help finance the project.
“Without the TIF, this project doesn’t happen,” Cushman said. “It doesn’t meet the return criteria that will be expected of it.”
The white water rafting facility will have beginner, intermediate and expert experiences, with the trips led by guides. It is being designed by Scott Shipley, a three-time Olympian with a master’s in mechanical engineering.
Bill Ryan of Architectural Design Consultants has been contracted to design the water park for the project. He believes that Branson is a prime location for this project due to the other leisure destinations in the vicinity.
“It has to be in a recognisable destination location. People have to think of that community as a place to go,” Ryan told the Tri-Lake News.
“The other key is once you have a destination you have to look at what there is to do in the community. You could play all day in the water park, at the white water rapids, and still go see a show at night or go out on the lake. Visit the retail market, there are other things to do. We’re surprised it hasn’t happened here before.”
Branson, Missouri is also the home of theme park Silver Dollar City and water park White Water Branson as well as a range of museums and outdoors activities.
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