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Native American tribe unveils US$241m Alabama theme park plan
POSTED 03 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
A theme park is at the centre of the development, with plans to launch in May 2017
A Native American tribe has announced plans for a US$241m (€217m, £194m) theme park and resort to feature one of the US’s longest rollercoasters.
Located in Foley, Alabama, the multi-million dollar plans by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will be built over the space of five years in a multi-phased approach, with phase one slated for 29 May 2017 – Memorial Day in the US.
Dubbed Owa – meaning “big water” and named after a 14-acre lake at the centre of the development – the 520 acre attraction will include a theme park, 150-bedroom Marriott hotel and a number of dining and shopping outlets. It will also sit adjacent to a separate US$40m (€36.1m, £32.1m) sports tourism complex also expected to open in the summer of 2017.
Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots, with concepts giving the feel of a small southern town evolving through time in certain themed districts of the park. In addition to the mammoth rollercoaster, the park will also include a selection of 20 thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and family-friendly entertainment.
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park. Future phases will include a waterpark, additional hotels, a condominium complex and a resort level RV park. Future phases of development will bring costs to in excess of US$500m (€451m, £402m). The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows.
According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent to US$250m (€225.4m, £201m), drawing up to a million people annually. The development is also expected to create more than 3,400 full-time jobs.
“As a Tribe, we have worked hard to ensure that our businesses bring revenue and jobs into the State and add to the quality of life in the rural communities where they are located,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Creek chair and CEO. “Owa is being built in this tradition, and we are very excited to be both neighbours and partners with Foley in bringing economic development to this area.”
Lawsuits mount against Alabama theme park developer POSTED 08 Apr 2016. BY Tom Anstey A businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal
for Alabama is facing legal drama stemming from the seemingly failed project.
Company behind DreamVision restructures as US$7bn theme park plans progress POSTED 25 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey After months of silence following the grand announcement of two US$3.5bn (€3.1bn,
£2.3bn) theme parks in Texas and Alabama, the company behind the project has said
further plans will be announced by the end of the year after a company restructuring.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
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TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Native American tribe unveils US$241m Alabama theme park plan
POSTED 03 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
A theme park is at the centre of the development, with plans to launch in May 2017
A Native American tribe has announced plans for a US$241m (€217m, £194m) theme park and resort to feature one of the US’s longest rollercoasters.
Located in Foley, Alabama, the multi-million dollar plans by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will be built over the space of five years in a multi-phased approach, with phase one slated for 29 May 2017 – Memorial Day in the US.
Dubbed Owa – meaning “big water” and named after a 14-acre lake at the centre of the development – the 520 acre attraction will include a theme park, 150-bedroom Marriott hotel and a number of dining and shopping outlets. It will also sit adjacent to a separate US$40m (€36.1m, £32.1m) sports tourism complex also expected to open in the summer of 2017.
Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots, with concepts giving the feel of a small southern town evolving through time in certain themed districts of the park. In addition to the mammoth rollercoaster, the park will also include a selection of 20 thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and family-friendly entertainment.
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park. Future phases will include a waterpark, additional hotels, a condominium complex and a resort level RV park. Future phases of development will bring costs to in excess of US$500m (€451m, £402m). The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows.
According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent to US$250m (€225.4m, £201m), drawing up to a million people annually. The development is also expected to create more than 3,400 full-time jobs.
“As a Tribe, we have worked hard to ensure that our businesses bring revenue and jobs into the State and add to the quality of life in the rural communities where they are located,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Creek chair and CEO. “Owa is being built in this tradition, and we are very excited to be both neighbours and partners with Foley in bringing economic development to this area.”
Lawsuits mount against Alabama theme park developer POSTED 08 Apr 2016. BY Tom Anstey A businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal
for Alabama is facing legal drama stemming from the seemingly failed project.
Company behind DreamVision restructures as US$7bn theme park plans progress POSTED 25 Sep 2015. BY Tom Anstey After months of silence following the grand announcement of two US$3.5bn (€3.1bn,
£2.3bn) theme parks in Texas and Alabama, the company behind the project has said
further plans will be announced by the end of the year after a company restructuring.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
The MSpa Oslo series is a perennial bestseller in global markets. With innovative
engineering and premium performance, this completely portable spa line-up is expertly
designed to meet the needs of customers worldwide. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Yon-Ka As pioneers in aromatherapy since 1954 and founders of the Yon-Ka brand, the Multaler Laboratories, [more...]
