2016’s Waterpark Forecast: Bigger is Better

David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC | March 9, 2016

by David J. Sangree, MAI, CPA, ISHC The waterpark industry continues to expand in North America, with more than $500 million of new investment in indoor and outdoor waterparks and their related resorts in 2015. Total waterpark related development spending is expected to grow in 2016 with a number of new facilities opening and many expansions of the existing waterparks. Two major new indoor waterpark resorts opened in the Poconos in Pennsylvania in 2015 and three large indoor waterpark resorts are projected to open in California, Colorado and Quebec in 2016, including two Great Wolf Lodge properties. In 2015, 17 municipal waterparks and ...