Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark (Highway 34 and 75)

[djc311]

City Announces Name of New Waterpark

The City of Bellevue, NE in partnership with American Resort Management, LLC (ARM), are pleased to announce that Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark has been chosen as the name for Bellevue’s upcoming indoor waterpark destination. This massive 100,000 square foot year-round indoor water park, with a retractable roof, will become a major family-friendly attraction, drawing visitors from all throughout the Midwest and across the country to our community where they will experience a thrilling aquatic adventure and enjoy some Midwest hospitality.

Bellevue Mayor Rusty Hike is excited about the naming of this facility, “We expect thousands of visitors from all over the Midwest to visit Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark every year and this name lets them know exactly where it is and what it is. It is important and we are proud to have our city’s name attached to a project of this magnitude. Visitors will go back home and tell their friends how much fun they had at “Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark”!

Modeled after another American Resort Management project, Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark in Grand Prairie, Texas, the waterpark is expected to feature a range of attractions, including thrilling water slides, a lazy river, wave pools, and interactive play areas. Additionally, amenities such as food and beverage outlets, retail shops, attached hotels and event spaces will complement the indoor waterpark experience, offering visitors a comprehensive entertainment destination.

As someone else mentioned, CoCo Keys SHOULD have been able to survive - but they must have had 16 year olds maintaining the water chemistry as that was a huge issue in that place. If I'm not mistaken, the hotel was a |expletive| hole, too. Great Wolf would probably do pretty well in our area, especially if they dropped it off of the interstate.

One question I have and this must be a new thing with water parks - but is it really safe to have a rock climbing wall where it's always wet? Aren't you basically asking for people to slide off the thing?

[skinzfan23]

From the most recent grow omaha report:

The Bellevue City Council approved an agreement with Whitewater West Industries of British Columbia, Canada for engineering design services at the planned Bellevue Bay waterpark project. Design plans show a tower with seven water slides, a large water playground with six slides and a FlowRider Double, a surf simulator. Engineering and design are scheduled to be completed by next spring.

Pretty cool that it is going to have the surf simulator. Still wondering if its going to include a wave pool, either indoors or out.

[CBJason]

From the most recent grow omaha report:

The Bellevue City Council approved an agreement with Whitewater West Industries of British Columbia, Canada for engineering design services at the planned Bellevue Bay waterpark project. Design plans show a tower with seven water slides, a large water playground with six slides and a FlowRider Double, a surf simulator. Engineering and design are scheduled to be completed by next spring.

Pretty cool that it is going to have the surf simulator. Still wondering if its going to include a wave pool, either indoors or out.

My guess is probably not. Based on the current renderings, I assume they had to make a choice between a wave pool or surf simulator.

[skinzfan23]

I knew if they were going to put in the surf simulator, that would be indoors. The one in TX has the wave pool outside, but here that will prob only work for about 90-120 days/year. I love wave pools because everyone can enjoy them and you don't have to wait in lines to use like you do for slides. But to have one indoors, isn't usually too feasible although the Great Wolf Lodge in Minneapolis has both a surf simulator and indoor wave pool, so it is possible.

[skinzfan23]

Nebraska Department of Economic Development Approves City of Bellevue's Good Life District Application

The establishment of the Good Life District, near the intersection of Highway 75 and Highway 34, will center on the new-to-market, regionally unique, City owned, Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park. The 100,000 square foot indoor, retractable roof, water park will be connected to adjacent hotels, dining, retail, and other recreation venues by a climate controlled walkway. This will be the region’s first year-round all-inclusive aquatic attraction. The Good Life District will also include commercial and other retail opportunities around the REACH or NC3 project, focusing on local and regional visitors.

The Bellevue Good Life District is the State’s only Good Life District where the City is the applicant. The City plans to use funds from occupation fees from the Good Life District to fund infrastructure, and recreational development within the District itself, and will be the primary source of funding for the Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park. Finally, the City plans to use revenue generated from the Good Life District to provide much needed property tax relief to Bellevue residents.

[skinzfan23]

City of Bellevue wins approval of its Good Life District application

According to this most recent article :

The district encompasses 575 acres of land near the northwest corner of the Highway 34-Highway 75 intersection. Of those, 70 acres are owned by the City of Bellevue.

Construction is to begin this year on the Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park, which will be the centerpiece of the district, city officials have said. The 100,000-square-foot facility, which will have an attached outdoor pool.

City officials hope to have the attraction ready for visitors by summer 2026.

[skinzfan23]

Not a whole lot of new info, but:

Bellevue's indoor water park moves closer to reality

As expected, the Bellevue City Council approved an agreement on Aug. 6 for American Resort Management to operate the Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park.

The latest action amended the original agreement, first approved on Feb. 6, to clarify that tax-exempt financing of the water park is allowed, according to Harrison Johnson, the city’s director of community and economic development. This will allow the city to pursue bond issuance for the project. The fiscal impact will be significant if tax-exempt bonds are issued versus taxable bonds, council materials stated.

On Aug. 6, the council awarded a contract to MCL Construction to be the Construction Manager at Risk for the project for an amount not to exceed $4,501,238. The Construction Manager at Risk will oversee the project and determine a Guaranteed Maximum Price so the city knows what the final cost will be, Johnson said.

The city has estimated that the water park will cost about $60 million, with $55 million for construction and $5 million for purchase of the desired property. The city purchased 70 acres of land in the Good Life District earlier this year. The portion of that not needed for the water park will be sold to private developers to build lodging, restaurants and retail stores in the Good Life District. This means the actual cost of the land used for the water park will be less than $1 million, Johnson said.

Design work is underway, and site preparation for construction of the water park is expected to begin later this year, he said.

[nativeomahan]

Apparently this project is on a noticeably faster track than is the Crossroads.

[Dusty]

Just found this video of Kaleidoscope Lazy River in Tennessee. Super cool!
Maybe the Bellevue Water Park can partner with this Moment Factory to create a unique experience for us.

[Athomsfere]

Just found this video of Kaleidoscope Lazy River in Tennessee. Super cool!
Maybe the Bellevue Water Park can partner with this Moment Factory to create a unique experience for us.

Man, legalize mushrooms and I bet that'd be a huge hit anywhere.

[Brad]

At the end of Grow Omaha today, they mentioned that the construction for this project has been pushed back until the spring of 2025, but it still expected to be done on time.

[skinzfan23]

Thanks for the update. I had seen things mentioning that it would start this fall or early spring so this is no surprise. Right now they just have stakes in the ground marking sections.

[skinzfan23]

Missed this story from KMTV about a week ago:

https://www.3newsnow.com/papillion-lav ... march-2025

Here are couple of early renderings….not quite as ambitious as Yates but I don’t see most of this happening:

[Garrett]

Honestly, compared to Yates that seems pretty sensible

[F0R_L1F3]

I think it's more feasible considering you have the new transportation and land reform plan going on right now plus the original plans from the Fort Crook BRT plan. Just will take some time to develop it all out.

[Louie]

I think its more feasible because yates isnt involved.

[djc311]

I think its more feasible because yates isnt involved.

HAHA

[skinzfan23]

Maybe one step closer. I did notice they have a construction trailer on site, next to the Hwy 75 southbound exit ramp.

According to the previous KMTV article, by late December, early January, the finished design models of the water park will be available.

[skinzfan23]

They have begun removing trees and it appears that they may also be tearing out the houses on the property as of Monday.

[Dusty]

Noticed in the top right corner of the rendering showed indoor skydiving. Is iFly coming to the area?
They generally will locate near Top Golf locations. I have always thought one of the empty lots at Westroads would be a good fit for indoor skydiving.

[skinzfan23]

Definitely sounds like this is still a go:

City of Bellevue to Break Ground on the Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park

The City of Bellevue is preparing to make waves as officials and community leaders will gather on March 20, 2025, to break ground on the highly anticipated Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park. Set to be the fourth-largest indoor water park in the country, this monumental project represents a transformative step forward for the region.

The Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park is scheduled to open its doors by 2027 marking the beginning of an exciting new era for the city. As construction progresses, Bellevue looks forward to welcoming guests to a world-class destination that embodies the spirit of adventure, relaxation, and economic vitality.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

It's odd to me that they would choose to locate it so far south. Cheap and available land next right off of a highway interchange I guess, but still, if there's anywhere in the Omaha area with abundant land located near its highway interchanges, it's Bellevue.

[omaha79]

It's odd to me that they would choose to locate it so far south. Cheap and available land next right off of a highway interchange I guess, but still, if there's anywhere in the Omaha area with abundant land located near its highway interchanges, it's Bellevue.

Many of the highway interchanges in Bellevue are not as open as one thinks, and some, like Capehart, have already been rejected for other uses due to pollution, and proximity to the air base.

Beyond that, no room on Cornhusker or Chandler. 370 has flooding issues due to the creek at times, and given its proximity to the creek tends to smell terrible in that area. The available land near Fairview is a giant flood plane, and even though they've talked about putting the horse track there, that will never happen.

So, you're quickly running out of options in Bellevue that are "near an interchange."

[Brad]

370 has flooding issues due to the creek at times, and given its proximity to the creek tends to smell terrible in that area.

Besides the flood plain, there is a zone that extends from the end of Offutt's runway almost all the way to 72nd and Harrison call like API (Area of Probable Incident) or APC (Area of Probable Crash) something along those lines, I can't remember the exact term at the moment. Basically the Airforce doesn't want anything in that zone, not even cemeteries, parks or storage units.

[omaha79]

370 has flooding issues due to the creek at times, and given its proximity to the creek tends to smell terrible in that area.

Besides the flood plain, there is a zone that extends from the end of Offutt's runway almost all the way to 72nd and Harrison call like API (Area of Probable Incident) or APC (Area of Probable Crash) something along those lines, I can't remember the exact term at the moment. Basically the Airforce doesn't want anything in that zone, not even cemeteries, parks or storage units.

The ARUZ (Air Installation Restricted Use Zone) is probably what you're referring to, and what I've brought up several times in the past when people start trying to hypothetically develop open areas of Bellevue.

[skinzfan23]

Speaking of the water park and surrounding development, I emailed Harrison Johnson, dir of economic development. He stated that the master plan should be published within the next few weeks.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I was going to say that what I had in mind was that there are indeed sizable lots at Chandler, Cornhusker, and 370 near the interchanges, but not directly adjacent to them. However, two things: 1) I did not realize the ARUZ was a thing. I always thought it was a lack of desire to build in a floodplain that kept that space open and 2) I forgot about the rest of the development tied to this waterpark, in which case the vacant spaces I had in mind at the aforementioned interchanges would be way too small to accommodate it all.

[Bomaha]

370 has flooding issues due to the creek at times, and given its proximity to the creek tends to smell terrible in that area.

Besides the flood plain, there is a zone that extends from the end of Offutt's runway almost all the way to 72nd and Harrison call like API (Area of Probable Incident) or APC (Area of Probable Crash) something along those lines, I can't remember the exact term at the moment. Basically the Airforce doesn't want anything in that zone, not even cemeteries, parks or storage units.

The ARUZ (Air Installation Restricted Use Zone) is probably what you're referring to, and what I've brought up several times in the past when people start trying to hypothetically develop open areas of Bellevue.

Sorry to continue the slight tangent from the thread....

I've always thought this would the perfect area to put dozens of sports fields / various more natural park areas across the multiple jurisdictions. Yes even more than the ones now.

Does the floodplain/ARUZ designation prohibit anything more in the area, or restrict the amount etc.?

[Brad]

I've always thought this would the perfect area to put dozens of sports fields / various more natural park areas across the multiple jurisdictions. Yes even more than the ones now.

Does the floodplain/ARUZ designation prohibit anything more in the area, or restrict the amount etc.?

When we met with Bellevue/Offutt about our project a year or two ago, they were fairly clear, they didn't really want anything. They used the cemetery example and also mentioned sports fields. They don't want anything that would attract a crowd. They don't want any people gathering in the flight path.

I also mentioned storage units, they don't want storage units because some people store gasoline, ammo, fireworks and other potentially dangerous materials in there and they don't want any of that in the flight path.

[skinzfan23]

Bellevue released a few more details ahead of the groundbreaking this Thursday:

Bellevue Bay FAQ sheet

1. What features will the waterpark have? Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark will offer a variety of
attractions catering to all age groups and interests, including:
• Multiple slides, ranging from high-speed body slides to family-friendly tube slides.
• A dedicated rock-climbing structure within the pool area.
• A lazy river for relaxing float experiences.
• A wave pool simulating ocean waves.
• A surf machine, the Flowrider, for surfing and tricks.
• Private cabanas for families and groups to relax.
• Designated spaces for birthday parties and group events.
• A grotto area with beverages for adults.
• A diverse food service with multiple dining options.

6. What makes the retractable roof and building structure unique?
• Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark will be the largest retractable roof waterpark in Nebraska,
spanning nearly 60,000 square feet with dimensions of 185 feet wide and 317 feet long.
• The entirely aluminum superstructure prevents corrosion in the highly humid indoor waterpark
environment.
• Energy-efficient design saves up to 10% on yearly energy costs compared to standard indoor
waterparks.
• Features include:
o 28 motorized roof panels, opening to 50% of the roof area.
o 32 motorized pivot windows around the perimeter for enhanced airflow.
o An 80-foot-tall slide tower cupola with a retractable roof for an open-air feel.
o Polycarbonate translucent roofing and low-e coated glass walls, allowing natural light
and indoor vegetation.
o The roof’s material and construction make it hail resistant
• The structure is engineered for future expansion, allowing the park to grow with community
needs by removing one end and extending its length.
Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark will be a premier destination for fun, relaxation, and adventure, bringing
a one-of-a-kind experience to Nebraska and beyond!

7. When will the waterpark open?
Construction of Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark is set to begin in spring 2025 and is expected to take
approximately 18 to 24 months to complete. Grading and some dirt work have started in advance of the
March 20th Official Groundbreaking event.

Bellevue Bay Indoor Waterpark – By the Numbers
• 80-foot building – That’s as tall as a 7-story building—all made of glass!
• 415,000 gallons of water – Enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool!
• 385-foot lazy river – Stretching longer than a city block, perfect for endless floating fun.
• 3,386 feet of slides – That’s over 9 football fields of twists, turns, and drops!
• 500-gallon tipping bucket – Imagine 5,000 bottles of soda dumped on you in one giant
splash!
• 50+ interactive water play elements – Enough to keep even the busiest little splashers
entertained for hours.
• 100+ stairs – The climb to the top of our tallest slide is no joke, but at 60 feet high, the
ride down is totally worth it!

For comparison: GWL in MN is 380,000 gallons. 400 ft lazy river

[skinzfan23]

They just released the rendering of the inside of the water park….I’m assuming the wave pool is going to be outside.

[almighty_tuna]

I’m assuming the wave pool is going to be outside.

Looks like the wave pool is at the lower corner of the renderings. Or...is that the indoor surf thing?

[Garrett]

That lazy river has quite the shape

[skinzfan23]

I’m assuming the wave pool is going to be outside.

Looks like the wave pool is at the lower corner of the renderings. Or...is that the indoor surf thing?

That is the surf simulator. I am assuming the wave pool is going to be outdoors similar to the one in TX and the other renderings above. I plan to go to the ground breaking tomorrow. I will ask if they don’t have those details outlined.

[skinzfan23]

That lazy river has quite the shape

Haha, I told my wife the same thing.

[BRoss]

That lazy river has quite the shape

What a ballsy observation.

[djc311]

That lazy river has quite the shape

What a ballsy observation.

That lazy river is nuts!

[Omahayngin]

does anyone else just feel kind of “meh” with this project. sure it will be nice to have but it’s nothing crazy to me, the amenities arnt all that great but it will be nice to have in the colder months. just wish there was more that it offered.

[Omahayngin]

surf sim is pretty cool though and new to the area

[skinzfan23]

does anyone else just feel kind of “meh” with this project. sure it will be nice to have but it’s nothing crazy to me, the amenities arnt all that great but it will be nice to have in the colder months. just wish there was more that it offered.

I think the biggest thing I have is the fact Bellevue doesn’t have a great track record. But if they can make it happen, the building itself is spectacular. It will be one of the largest water parks in the country with a retractable roof like I’ve stated before the key is getting good people to work there and taking care of it.

This is something I thought the Omaha area could have used for a long time. Unfortunately, Coco key was not well taken care of.