Kalahari Resorts in Round Rock has grand opening on Thursday
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions is officially opening its fourth location in Round Rock on Thursday.
The African safari-themed compound houses the largest indoor waterpark in the country, and Kalahari owner and founder Todd Nelson said the site is expected to attract between 1 million to 2 million guests in its first year.
Along with a 223,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, the resort features 3 acres of outdoor pools, a 975-room hotel, five restaurants, 10,000 square feet of retail space and a 200,000 square-foot convention center.
Kalahari officials have said they were hiring for 700 positions ahead of its opening date, in areas including lifeguards, managerial and culinary staff and information technology work.
Kalahari is also expected to invest at least $350 million on the development. The city will in turn issue bonds, providing $40 million to build the city-owned convention center and $30 million to make road improvements on U.S. 79, plus utility upgrades on the property.
“It adds to our robust economy of Round Rock in tourism and entertainment in other ways that we didn’t have before,” said Jason Ball, CEO and president of the Round Rock Chamber. “It will put us on the map and it’s location is in a neat area of town to already be in since it is right across from the Dell Diamond.”
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, then the public is invited to enter the park.
Kalahari also has resorts in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania. General Manager Tim Arnold said it was clear Round Rock was the perfect choice for its fourth location.
“Round Rock has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and we took notice of that and as we started to look at our next development, it made sense we go south and what better place than the great state of Texas,” Arnold said.
The city will continue to own the convention center and the land it will be built on as part of a lease agreement with Kalahari. Ball also said the resort has developed its own unique identity for the experience it provides guests.
“You know having had the benefit of touring the resort and speaking with the Nelson family on how they came up with the concepts of some of their gathering areas, you can notice that so much thought and preparation has gone into it and guests will see that and enjoy what the resort brings,” Ball said.
Arnold said the company has much gratitude for the city of Round Rock.
“From A-Z, the city of Round Rock and Texas has been so welcoming,” Arnold said. “I look forward to the expressions people will have when they walk in and their eyes just light up. It will be priceless and I cannot wait to see it.”
Justine Reyes Dominguez, 22, started working for the resort as a retail associate on Oct. 19 and said she has enjoyed seeing the resort grow from the ground up since she came on board.
“Everyone has worked hard to put everything together for our guests to ensure they have the best experience,” said Reyes Dominguez, a retail associate at Marrakesh Market in Kalahari.
Per statewide mask mandate, guests over the age of 10 are required to wear masks while on resort property. That includes wearing masks to and from waterparks, lounging within the waterpark and while not actively using a waterpark attraction.
The only exception to wearing masks includes dining in a restaurant or bar, and while in the water or in a guest room.
“Everyone who works in the resort has to wear a mask,” said Reyes Dominguez. “We constantly sanitize our area and we are making sure everyone stays healthy and safe, but still gets the Kalahari experience during their stay.”
Guests are also encouraged to stay the recommended 6 feet from anyone not in their group.
“We have signs everywhere as a reminder to our guests that they stay 6 feet apart,” Dominguez said.
Kalahari’s website says that cash-free methods of payment are available. The full list of how the resort is ensuring safety can be found on itswebsite, kalahariresorts.com/texas.
