22 May 2019
Outdoor waterpark completes Soundwaves expansion at Gaylord Opryland
BY Andy Knaggs
Having opened the indoor part of its new Soundwaves Water Experience in December 2018, Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, has now opened phase two of the waterpark – the outdoor part of its offering.
Opened on 17 May, Soundwaves is an indoor/outdoor waterpark designed and built by the Aquatic Development Group (ADG) as part of a US$90m (€80.7m, £70.8m) expansion. Blur Workshop also played a part in the development, helping with some structure and design elements not usually seen in resort waterparks.
The 106,000sq ft (9,850sq m) outdoor experience includes a 23,000sq ft (7,000sq m) wave pool, high-end cabanas and a giant poolside LED movie screen. There is a 45ft (13.7m), four-lane slide tower, two drop slides, an adult-only pool, a kids' pool, a sun lounge shelf and bench seating.
In December 2018, the indoor part of the experience was unveiled. Include over 111,000sq ft (10,300sq m) were a range of slides, as well as a Flowrider surf attraction, two fast-paced rivers and an adult-only pool and bar area. There are also basketball, rock climbing, an obstacle course, and multiple restaurants at the attraction.
ADG, which says it has installed more than 90 per cent of all wave systems in the US with its patented WaveTek technology, worked with property developer Ryman and DF Chase on construction, renewing a partnership between the three companies that have already been successfully used on other Gaylord resorts and other resort waterpark developments.
SoundWaves will maintain a consistent tropical temperature of 84 degrees, mimicking the temperature-controlled indoor gardens at the resort, while the indoor experience has a transparent roof.
"The initial success of the expansion has contributed to growth in occupancy at the property," said Colin Reed, chair and CEO of Ryman. "We're thrilled with the early contributions of these growth projects and remain enthusiastic about their role in maximising the strong outlook we see for the group segment in the years ahead."
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