Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Kalahari breaks ground on newest waterpark resort in Round Rock, Texas

From left:  Todd Nelson, Jr., Natasha Lucke, Travis Nelson, Todd Nelson, Shari Nelson, Alissa Gander and Ashley Nelson.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ team members and executives gathered with 250 supporters to break ground on the new African-themed waterpark and convention center, the Nelson family’s fourth resort.

Scheduled to open in 2020, Kalahari Resorts Round Rock is a $550 million, 350-acre complex in the city of Round Rock, Texas. The groundbreaking means construction is fully underway for the project, which will include:

Nearly 1,000 guest rooms including 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom suites, featuring residential Suites

America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark – 223,000 sq. ft.

State-of-the-Art Convention Center – 200,000 sq. ft.

Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park – spanning more than 80,000 sq. ft. of thrill rides, ropes course, climbing walls, indoor zipline, bowling, laser tag, mini-golf and more

Outdoor pools spanning three acres

Five restaurants including Kalahari’s signature steakhouse, Italian and Tex-Mex experience

Spa Kalahari and Salon

10,000 sq. ft. of retail space

“Kalahari is thrilled to bring our authentic African resort experience to the South,” says Todd Nelson, owner, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. “As the Round Rock property begins construction, we look forward to contributing to the local economy and sharing our beyond-expectations approach to hospitality with area vacationgoers, conference attendees and local guests throughout the region.”

Once completed, the Round Rock property will showcase a beyond-expectations experience for guests, convention attendees and locals to the Round Rock community. The state-of-the-art convention center will span 220,000 sq. ft. and include 40,000-sq.-ft. and 27,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, 16 meeting rooms, a full-service business center and 50,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space.

The location will also boast attractions that will be open for locals to the Round Rock community, as well as resort guests. These attractions include: Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park, Spa Kalahari and Salon, and a wide variety of dining options including: Double Cut Charcoal Grill, Kalahari’s signature steakhouse experience; Mondo Sortino’s, which includes an Italian Kitchen, Pizzeria and Gelato shop; and 5 Niños Tex-Mex restaurant. As with other Kalahari Resorts and Conventions properties, day passes to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark will also be available to local residents based on resort occupancy.

“We really pride ourselves on being good neighbors to the communities that Kalahari calls home,” Nelson said. “When we design our resorts, we stay focused on adding amenities that everyone can experience and enjoy – not only our overnight guests.”

The Round Rock resort marks the company’s first foray into the Southern market and fourth Kalahari Resorts and Conventions location, joining successful properties in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, and the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. Since its inception, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is a family-owned and -operated business with a focus on bringing the best of Africa and a beyond-expectations hospitality experience to all guests.

“We’re delighted to have Kalahari break ground in Round Rock, Texas,” Mayor Craig Morgan said. “This will be an amazing destination for our citizens, as well as families and convention guests from across the state and across the country. We’re proud of the partnership we’ve forged with Kalahari and can’t wait for the grand opening.”

Joe Kleiman
Joe Kleimanhttp://wwww.themedreality.com
Raised in San Diego on theme parks, zoos, and IMAX films, InPark's Senior Correspondent Joe Kleiman would expand his childhood loves into two decades as a projectionist and theater director within the giant screen industry. In addition to his work in commercial and museum operations, Joe has volunteered his time to animal husbandry at leading facilities in California and Texas and has played a leading management role for a number of performing arts companies. Joe previously served as News Editor and has remained a contributing author to InPark Magazine since 2011. HIs writing has also appeared in Sound & Communications, LF Examiner, Jim Hill Media, The Planetarian, Behind the Thrills, and MiceChat His blog, ThemedReality.com takes an unconventional look at the attractions industry. Follow on twitter @ThemesRenewed Joe lives in Sacramento, California with his wife, dog, and a ghost.

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