Updated May 20, 2011
One might think that a major metropolitan city, one of the largest in the country, that is located in the desert and experiences months of sweltering heat would have indoor waterparks in addition to the existing outdoor waterparks. You were almost correct.
What was/is Waveyard?
In 2006 it was announced that a mega water park was going to be built in Arizona. In 2007 the voters of Mesa, Arizona voted to offer the Riverview Golf course and several adjacent ball fields to a local real estate developer who intended to build a 125-acre mega water sports facility. Upon completion, Waveyard would include an artificial whitewater river with Class 2 to Class 4 rapids, an artificial beach, a simulated ocean capable of producing different size waves for surfers and boogie boarders, a scuba lagoon, a snorkeling pond, and a rock-climbing center, a huge indoor water park, restaurants, shopping, a spa, and a hotel and conference center.Where was the Waveyard site?
It is at the southeast corner of the Loops 101 & 202 interchange near Mesa Riverview and Bass Pro Shops.So, what happened to Waveyard in Arizona?
The recession. The financing never happened. In September 2009 the Mesa City Council granted Waveyard an additional 18 months get its financing together, estimated at somewhere between $250 million and $750 million. That extension is up July 2011.What is the current plan for that property?
The Chicago Cubs are planning plan a 100-acre spring training complex on the site. Waveyard is working on plans for just a water park on the remaining land. Officials at the City of Mesa have indicated that they will continue to negotiate with Waveyard but they haven't yet come up with financing, even for the waterpark.As of this writing, there is no indoor water park in Greater Phoenix. As new information becomes public about any plans to build an indoor waterpark in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area comes to my attention, I will add it here.
