Native American tribe unveils US$241m Alabama theme park plan
By Tom Anstey 03 Nov 2016
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.”
The park will be themed to resemble a traditional southern town
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park
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
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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.”
The park will be themed to resemble a traditional southern town
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park
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
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.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
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