Archive for Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Developers plan massive water park in Ariz. desert
November 20, 2007
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A surfer rides rolling waves in this artist’s rendering of the proposed Waveyard water theme park in Mesa, Ariz. The Waveyard, scheduled for completion in 2011, will offer surf-sized waves, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking and more on 125 acres in the Arizona desert east of Phoenix.
MESA, ARIZ. — By tapping rivers and sucking water from deep underground, developers have covered Arizona with carpets of Bermuda grass and dotted the parched landscape with swimming pools, golf courses and lakeshore homes.
Now another ambitious project is in the works: A massive new water park that would offer surf-sized waves, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking — all in a bone-dry region that gets just 8 inches of rain a year.
“It’s about delivering a sport that’s not typically available in an urban environment,” said Richard Mladick, a Mesa real-estate developer who persuaded business leaders in suburban Mesa to support the proposal called the Waveyard.
Artists’ drawings of the park show surfers gliding through waves that crash onto a sandy beach and kayakers navigating the whitecaps of a wide, roiling river. Families watch the action from beneath picnic umbrellas. If constructed, the park would use as much as 100 million gallons of groundwater a year.
Mladick, 39, said he wanted to create the kind of lush environment he remembers from growing up in Virginia Beach, Va., and surfing in Morocco, Indonesia, Hawaii and Brazil.
“I couldn’t imagine raising my kids in an environment where they wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow up being passionate about the same sports that I grew up being passionate about,” he said.
The Waveyard, to be built 15 miles east of Phoenix, would dwarf the typical water-slide parks familiar to many Arizona families.
It will include an artificial whitewater river with multiple channels where kayakers can test themselves on Class 2 to Class 4 rapids. Visitors could enjoy an artificial beach and a simulated ocean capable of producing different size waves, from 12-foot barreling waves to tamer chop for boogie boarders.
The 125-acre park will feature a scuba lagoon, a snorkeling pond with reefs and a rock-climbing center.
The Waveyard is envisioned as the summer equivalent of a ski resort — only with more choices, Mladick said. “We really struggle with the theme-park comparison. This is based on skilled sports.”
Mesa voters overwhelmingly approved their proposal on Nov. 6, granting the Waveyard an estimated $35 million in tax incentives with more than 65 percent of the vote.
No citizens groups overtly opposed the project, but its water usage may raise questions in the future as the growing Phoenix area struggles to replenish its vast aquifer. Arizona has been in a drought for a decade, and rivers that feed Phoenix and surrounding communities experienced near-record low measurements this year.
“Water is a scarce and valued commodity,” said Jim Holway, associate director of the Global Institute of Sustainability at Arizona State University.
Holway said the Phoenix area currently enjoys huge supplies of underground water. But it’s tough to determine exactly how long communities can sustain their rate of water consumption, given that global warming may make the desert even drier.
The Waveyard will need as much as 50 million gallons of water at first to fill its artificial oceans and rivers.
Replenishing water lost to evaporation and spillage will require another 60 to 100 million gallons per year, enough to support about 1,200 people in the Phoenix area.
Project organizers say they won’t tap Mesa’s drinking water supplies to fill the park. Instead, they plan to draw from a well that has elevated levels of arsenic, which makes its water unsuitable for drinking. The Waveyard will build a treatment plant to make the water safe for swimmers.
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20 November 2007 at 8:09 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“I couldn’t imagine raising my kids in an environment where they wouldn’t have the opportunity to grow up being passionate about the same sports that I grew up being passionate about,” he said.
************************
Ever consider moving to a beach?
20 November 2007 at 8:19 a.m.
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Mkh (Anonymous) says…
What a bunch of idiots. We are quickly becoming the dumbest culture in the history of civilization. Congrats America.
20 November 2007 at 8:22 a.m.
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gr (Anonymous) says…
“Ever consider moving to a beach?”
It's kind of like around here. People move out to the country to “enjoy” it. Then they realize they want to make it the same as what they left because they miss the stores. And besides, the roads are so dusty. Arizona - well it's so dry.
“Mesa voters overwhelmingly approved their proposal “
After everyone changes their environment to be just like what they left from, where will they go then?
20 November 2007 at 8:24 a.m.
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jonas (Anonymous) says…
When the big one comes, this park will be somewhat obsolete. Why play in a man-made pond when you can cavort in the pristine water of Arizona Bay?
20 November 2007 at 8:54 a.m.
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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…
It's alright, people. GWB and his DHS will protect us from these eco-illogical terrorists.
20 November 2007 at 9:14 a.m.
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snap_pop_no_crackle (Anonymous) says…
Don't let your carbon credits get wet.
20 November 2007 at 10:35 a.m.
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guesswho (Anonymous) says…
Boy, that is brilliant.
http://www.droughtscore.com/
20 November 2007 at 3:44 p.m.
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thebcman (Anonymous) says…
typical human arrogance. One day the Earth will rid herself of our curse.
21 November 2007 at 8:39 a.m.
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gr (Anonymous) says…
“Shame on those Mesa people for having a vision and trying to improve the peoples way of life and economy.”
Since when does frivolity “improve the peoples way of life”?
“One day the Earth will rid herself of our curse.”
The curse of “natural evolution”?
21 November 2007 at 8:55 a.m.
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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
So his children will be able to surf, but his grandchildren will go thirsty. This is kind of like Nero playing the violin while Rome burned isn't it. Of course this bozo probably doesn't know anything about history, because it's not cool to read. Let's just repeat the stupidity that destroyed Rome. Maybe it's just inevitable.
21 November 2007 at 8:57 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
“Of course this bozo probably doesn't know anything about history, because it's not cool to read.”
FYI, some bozos do read— history even!!
21 November 2007 at 9:22 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
You have a gift for ignoring reality, RT.
21 November 2007 at 9:36 a.m.
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Logan5 (Anonymous) says…
RT,
Are you simply trying to start an argument, or are you just that dumb? It is just like you neocons to ignore the future and the lessons of the past to focus only on the present. It's all about me, me, me. Let's borrow more money from China and run the debt up another 10 Trillion. Screw the environment, let's build more coal plants because they're cheap. Why should we have to spend our hard earned money on things like scientific research and advanced education when those smart people never agree with us anyway.
No let's spend money on things that are proven to fail, like abstinence training in Africa.
21 November 2007 at 9:39 a.m.
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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
So what is the source of this ground water? Is it limitless? They thought Western Kansas' aquifer would last forever, but now it's been depleted pretty badly. I guess the immediate pleasure of a water park in the desert and all the money it will make for this generation is the most important thing. Who cares about what will happen after we are dead. We won't be here to see it, right?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus - Sorry, didn't mean to stereotype bozos.
21 November 2007 at 9:39 a.m.
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feeble (Anonymous) says…
Having grown up in Tucson, I can't believe this is actually being considered. Water management, especially reduction of water waste is a HUGE issue in that part of the country.
http://www.azwater.gov/dwr/drought/
If someone from Phoenix wants to go enjoy some water sports, well, California and Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) are about a days drive. The Grand Canyon is even closer.
The deal reminds me of Lawrence, somewhat:
The city of Mesa is giving the Waveyard Development, LLC company 125 acres, valued at 65 million, for just $10 million. The City is loaning the developers $20 million upfront. Loan repayment is over 24 years at a fixed rate of 4.4%. There's also an additional 1.5 million in subsidies “necessary for the development of infrastructure”.
simple incredible.
21 November 2007 at 9:42 a.m.
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FatTony (Anonymous) says…
So if I grew up in Colorado and skied all the time do you think I could get a mountain built in the oread neighborhood? It would come complete with snow making abilities, a couple a ski lifts and then maybe the Yellow Sub Hotel could be be used as the resort and lodge.
21 November 2007 at 9:52 a.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Why not organize protests against the new waterpark being built in Kansas City area or against these ethanol plants that consume large amounts of water? Yeah we knock things happening in other states but nothing is done about this same issue in Kansas. Last I knew much of Kansas is not blessed with an abundance of water. Weren't some areas of Kansas last year close to declaring an emergency due to water shortages?
21 November 2007 at 10:21 a.m.
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Finding_Uranus (Anonymous) says…
Anyone can take a look at Lawrence and see something even of a small magnitude of the size of this venture would never have a prayer. Lawrence won't even have a mall–you know, a regular mall, like practically any other city in America with 80,000 people and a major university would have. Lawrence has a bumbling bunch of idiots in its government and a strong liberal base who keeps pinning their hopes and dreams on ten or so freakfest blocks of Mass. St..
21 November 2007 at 10:36 a.m.
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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
Lawrence had 2 small malls and they failed. If we'd built a large one we'd have a large empty building instead of all the little small ones in North Lawrence. We do now have a hotel with a great view of the river which you have to rent a room to see. They have a really great parking lot paid for by us, but we can't use it unless we've rented a room. The only people who are going to be able to use this water park are those with money. The working stiff and his family are going to foot the bill, but they won't be able to afford it. And the grandchildren will still go thirsty.
21 November 2007 at 11:29 a.m.
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50YearResident (Anonymous) says…
The Lawrence Malls were doomed to failure. One built on a dead end road, the other in a flood prone declining area of town. Go figure. Would you invest in these?
21 November 2007 at 12:02 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
Yea, RT, it'd be silly to consider that Lawrence is situated between KC and Topeka, while Salina is miles and miles from anywhere.
22 November 2007 at 9:31 a.m.
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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…
righteously_toxic has found what makes him happy. Let him live in the peaceful valley of ignorant bliss and liberal hatred. Let him praise this arsenic gold mine of the rich infamous. He yearns to splash in the waters of such brilliantly sustainable models of wealth. Be the arsenic of your own joy, r_t. It's what make you…you. You go, boy!~)
22 November 2007 at 9:56 a.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
So you prefer that which is unsustainable, RT?
22 November 2007 at 11 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
It may never become reality. Water supply battles are engaged 24/7 without this irresponsible idea. Colorado and other water suppliers may cut off the water to this deal. My bet is this will meet with long and substantial protest.
I say to Dad take your kids to the real thing instead of teaching them artificial nature is okay. Get real.
22 November 2007 at 11:43 a.m.
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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…
Give to the pupfish what is the pupfishes'.
http://www.petsforum.com/FNExplore1998/P…
http://www.cvmshcp.org/sp_43.htm
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:Uoe…
http://www.pima.gov/cmo/sdcp/species/fsh…
http://www.desertusa.com/mar97/du_pupfis…
http://www.nativefish.org/articles/pupfi…
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1082733…
http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/epa-species/…
It's the big game a comin'…go team.
22 November 2007 at 1:42 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
So you do prefer unsustainable.
22 November 2007 at 1:51 p.m.
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just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (Anonymous) says…
What sustainable really means is to live within our means. But given how BushCo has mortgaged out the futures of several generations, most of them not even born yet, I can see why you'd need to resort to McCarthyesque distortions of the true definition.
22 November 2007 at 2:46 p.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
It's a dumb idea:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/…
22 November 2007 at 5:34 p.m.
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lunacydetector (Anonymous) says…
what a kick*ss idea. i wonder how the people of lawrence would react if something like this were proposed outside of lawrence - of course our weather isn't good enough to make this kind of idea economically feasible around here, but a GRAND type of idea - how would the people of lawrence react?
22 November 2007 at 7:19 p.m.
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Dubya45 (Bradley Menze) says…
Presumably, Arizona has some type of envinronmental policy such that an environmental impact statement (EIS) will be performed. Further, I believe, if any cash source or oversight is the responsibility of the Fed. that an environmental impact statement must be performed per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Please see the website I pasted below. It has some relevant insite into the waveyard. Personally, I think it sounds really fun but, nonetheless, a bad idea.
http://greenlightnews.blogspot.com/2007/…