Water park in lower Currituck plans opening next summer

By Outer Banks Voice on July 27, 2016

Construction of a water park designed for up to 5,000 daily guests in lower Currituck County is planned to start in September, with a projected opening date of next summer.

Development of the site will be led by OBX Waterpark Adventure LLC, a new company established to build and operate the facility, which is owned by Arthur Berry III and Kenneth Ellis.

The company said in a press statement Wednesday the water park will have a theme reflecting the area’s historical and coastal heritage.

The Currituck County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously in May to approve rezoning the 80-acre site, which is now  used by Barnhill Construction for  storage north of Harbinger on the west side of U.S. 158.

To accommodate the company’s plans, commissioners also said OK to increasing the height restriction on recreational structures to 110 feet for waterslides.

The park will require 76,000 gallons of water a day, according to the engineering firm working on the project.

Ellis touted the economic benefits of the $45 million project.

“By locating the property just off the Outer Banks it allows the area to retain its relaxed beach atmosphere, yet at the same time provide visitors with an easily accessible option for a one-of-a-kind recreational experience,” Berry added.

Berry and Ellis also own Camelback Resort, a 276 acre, four-season resort in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, which attracts more than  1.5 million guests annually and has one of the largest indoor waterparks in the country at just over 125,000 square feet.

“By comparison, traditional water parks of this magnitude typically handle 8,000+ daily guests, yet the OBX water park will set a maximum daily capacity of 4,000 – 5,000.” Berry said. “Capping the attendance ensures an unparalleled guest experience — unlike any other water park in the country.”

Plans for the 80-acre park include multiple water slide complexes, a large wave pool, adventure lagoon and lazy river, and a FlowRider surf ride attraction.

Over 2 acres will be dedicated to a children’s adventure area with a double entry wave pool and other  interactive play areas and structures.

Fifty private, wait-serviced cabanas with food and beverages, and retail venues will also be offered.

Conceptual design for the water park located near the 8500 block of Caratoke Highway, north of Harbinger. (OBX Waterpark Adventure LLC)

The nautical theme of the water park will draw on familiar icons, the company says, such as historic lighthouses, famous pirate ships and the Wright Brothers.

Weber Group came up with concept. The firm has produced themes for ADG, Disney, Cedar Fair Entertainment, NASA, Great Wolf Lodge and Crayola.

Wave pool expansion built by ADG at Ocean Breeze. (Facebook)

Aquatic Development Group, a New York company that specializes in the design and development of water parks and water ride attractions, will handle the design and construction.

Clients include Six Flags, Disney, Premiere, Great Wolf, Hilton, Hyatt, Wyndham and more.

ADG has completed several projects in the area, including a $25 million three-pool training facility at the U.S. Coast Guard Aviation and Technical Training Center at Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City with wave generation technology.

ADG has also designed and built a one-million gallon wave pool addition and three-acre lazy river expansion at Ocean Breeze Waterpark in nearby Virginia Beach.

At Massanutten Resort near Harrisonburg, Va., the company designed and built a three-story, 42,000-square-foot indoor water park and 88,000 square-foot outdoor complex.

The company also designed and built a wave pool used in scenes in the film Life of Pi, which won four Oscars, including the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.

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