Last week, the Round Rock City Council approved several agreements with Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, a thrilling water theme park and resort. So it’s official: Kalahari Resorts is coming to Round Rock!
The family resort will be built on 351 acres near Old Settlers Park and the Dell Diamond. It will include a 975-room resort and a 150,000-square-foot convention center, and 200,000 square-feet of indoor and outdoor water park.
“We are incredibly excited to bring our authentically African resort experience to the Southwest for the first time,” said Todd Nelson, owner of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. “The city of Round Rock has been incredibly welcoming, and we look forward to finalizing plans to officially become a part of this great community.”
So why is this resort such a game changer for The Sports Capital?
The addition of this resort will bring more than just another fun attraction to Round Rock. The agreement between the Round Rock City Council provides for Kalahari to employ a minimum 700 people and invest at least $350 million in the resort. That means more jobs and prosperity for the city, in addition to improved roads and utilities paid for by city-issued bonds.
The vast size of the resort and conference center is a revolutionary addition to the city as well. The 975-room resort and 150,000-square-foot convention center is the second largest of its kind in central Texas, putting Round Rock on the same level as other central Texas destinations for hospitality and conference business. Our resort, however, will be unique in its family-resort destination status, which draws in approximately 1 million visitors annually.
The Round Rock City Council is excited about diversifying the tourism community in Round Rock, “This will position Round Rock as a destination for tourism which will diversify our economy,” said Assistant City Manager Brooks Bennett.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to the next step,” said Mayor Alan McGraw. “It’s amazing how many people have had a role in making this happen.”
Read more about the proposed project from the City of Round Rock, the Austin American Statesman or the press release from Kalahari resorts, and stay tuned for more information as this project develops.