New Jersey will soon be home to the world’s largest indoor, beachfront waterpark. On January 12, 2022, Philadelphia-based developer, Bart Blatstein, broke ground on what will be known as Island Waterpark. The 103,000-square-foot attraction will be located in Atlantic City, next to the Showboat hotel.
The intent behind this $100 million project, as stated by Mayor Marty Small, is to diversify Atlantic City’s current entertainment opportunities. Blatstein, who acquired Showboat in 2016 and owns several other AC properties, has a similar agenda of expanding the town’s reputation beyond casinos.
Last year, he opened “NJ’s largest indoor arcade,” The Lucky Snake, on what was once Showboat’s casino floor. Therefore, Island Waterpark will be a way for families to enjoy themselves year-round, sans gambling.
Mayor @marty_small is committed to making #AtlanticCity a year-round destination for families/adults & diversifying our entertainment options. Today's groundbreaking for the Island Waterpark at Showboat is a major step forward in the ongoing development of our great City ☀️🌴🏊 pic.twitter.com/wnYu9jZWmf
— City of Atlantic City (@AtlanticCityGov) January 12, 2022
SOSH Architects, an Atlantic City firm, will be designing the exterior which is projected to feature a transparent, glass-pane retractable roof. This will help to keep cold temperatures out during winter and bring ocean air in during the summer, allowing guests to visit any time of year. Island Waterpark will be Atlantic City’s first year-round, family-oriented entertainment destination.
What Will Island Waterpark Offer?
Martin Aquatic Design & Engineering of Orlando was brought on for the interior. Expect water slides, a lazy river, pools (and maybe even a waterfall). As far as amenities, there will be restaurants, retail space, party rooms, locker rooms and lounge areas.
Also planned are an indoor boardwalk complete with games and amusement rides, ziplines, gravity coaster, outdoor volleyball courts and “adults-only” bar facility with ocean views.
In addition, “The Dome,” a concert venue, will be constructed next to the Showboat hotel. It is expected to accommodate up to 8,000 guests and be completely enclosed during winter. In the summer, a retractable roof and sides can be opened up. Blatstein has also planned for an outdoor beer garden.
Island Waterpark is expected to open in Atlantic City during Memorial Day Weekend 2023.
Main photo by Arya Dubey
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The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
