Amusement Business reports on the giant resort project planned for the former Motorola complex. Phase 1 of the project is an unnamed indoor waterpark that is estimated to be 300,000 sqft or 9 acres in size. Currently the largest indoor waterpark in the country is the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells at 125,000 sqft. The park, designed by NBGS, could open by 2004 and will feature many pool, slides, rivers and the world’s largest indoor Master Blaster uphill water coaster. The next phase of the project would add an indoor FEC with Go-karts, Mini-Golf, Ice Skating, Paintball, Laser Tag, etc... and beyond that would be a hotel & conference center, condos and a movie theater complex.
Also a story that was reported in July from the Motorola website:http://www.motorola.com/mediacenter/news/detail/0,1958,3021_2475_23,00.htmlI think this is great news. The largest indoor waterpark in the country! It will be located in Harvard, only miles from the Wisconsin state border. There is also going to apparently be a "Master Blaster water-propelled roller coaster". I wonder what that'll be? I can't wait to see how this place turns out. I would think that this news means that GAm definately won't be building that waterpark that was propsed, as it wouldn't be that great of an idea. I wonder how much business this new complex/waterpark will be taking away from GAm, if any... Anyways I can't wait to go to this place!...What are your views...?
The water propelled coaster is like a big slice that you go down on a tube/inflateble raft. There are water jets that shoot out water along the botom of the slide in the direction that you are going. It propells you up inclines so that it the ride isn't fed by only gravity. I hope that didn't confuse you.
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It will be probably bigger.Please don't confuse the three NEW projects.One will be a facility like Great Wolf Lodge in WI along the lake. The second will be the retrofitted Motorola facility in Harvard, and finally there is a chance that Fox Lake will add or substitue for a third park.
Hmmm, how did this story dodge the headlines for the Chicago area papers? Maybe I just missed it.Anyway, its good to know that the old Motorola plant will go to good use. Heck, the property is only 8 years old. Big mistake on Motorola's part to even construct a facility out in the middle of no-where and then expect a full crew of people to make the commute.Alot of people quit and others were being bussed from their Libertyville and Schaumburg facilities to the Harvard site. The article claims that its a great location. Well, not really. The major access road for this property is Rte 14. They are nowhere near any major highways. If they open this entertainment complex, they will have to make directions that are easy. Harvard is well off the beaten path.Other than that, I hope its a success. Sure would be nice to experience something like this without having to drive up to the Dells.
I finally retired the Sarah Palin signature because she is now 100% irrelevant.
I agree with you in regards to the location, but its not that bad considering its just a quick jaunt down 173 from I-94 and Gurnee. I think he was angling for a central location from Wisconsin, Rockford, and the North Shore. What I think was more important in picking Harvard then the overall location is that he received a great deal on the whole situation from private and public parties. It is a lot cheaper to build it at Harvard then Gurnee. I am just a little weary of 2-3 new indoor waterparks within an hour ON TOP of the Dells area. Who knows maybe Harvard will be the new weekend getaway for the Lincoln Park families >rolls eyes<
I think this news is great. Magic Water is so dirty and just bad. I am looking forward to taking 173 20 miles and having a relaxing weekend. This park will be another reaseon for SF not to get a waterpark.In the Rockford area an exit will be constructed off I-90 to 173
It was in the news paper today(Daily Herald Buissness) becuase alot of resorts want to build waterparks one example is Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale.
WOW! a New Water Park... Big Deal Water Parks are for kids. I live in Joliet and there are 2 Huge Water Parks near me. I never been to either and i dont plan on going to one anyway.Besides Why drive all that way to get Wet? When i can jump in a swimming pool in my backyard? Also, why drive all that way for something as useless as going to a water park, when i can drive that way and go to Great America?
Galvan316 wrote:WOW! a New Water Park... Big Deal Water Parks are for kids. I live in Joliet and there are 2 Huge Water Parks near me. I never been to either and i dont plan on going to one anyway.Besides Why drive all that way to get Wet? When i can jump in a swimming pool in my backyard? Also, why drive all that way for something as useless as going to a water park, when i can drive that way and go to Great America?
I agree with and understand your lackluster enthusiaism for Waterparks, but these installations will be much different. They will be Hotel Resorts. They will offer a weekend (example) getaway for the Chicagoland area during frgid weather. People can't really go to other local pools in the winter. It is meant to be marketed as a getaway, not just a day's admission.Also, the Harvard one sounds like it will include, Karts, Mini-Golf, Laser-Tag, Paintball, shops, eats, and a movie theater. They are going for an all inclusive experience that will have a high level of appeal during the winter season.It will be interesting to see the consumer's reaction and participation
The idea behind this is definitely a plus for that area. Harvard has suffered major tax losses due to Motorola closing.They really should include an indoor amusement park area kind of like Camp Snoopy in Mall of America. Heck, even give it a touch of "Old Chicago" with some windy city theming. During the winter time, this place could really make a serious profit.
I finally retired the Sarah Palin signature because she is now 100% irrelevant.