A major new waterpark in Grand Prairie, Texas, opens its doors to the public today (12 January), with the US$88m (€72.5m, £64.6m) project featuring a retractable roof to offer year-round use for the US state.

Called Epic Waters, the new waterpark has been designed by Wisconsin-based architecture and engineering firm Ramaker and Associates, with attractions supplied by WhiteWater West.

The retractable polycarbonate roof by Open Aire is a record breaker, making Epic Waters the largest indoor waterpark under a single custom curved retractable roof in the US. Its purpose is to save energy on hot days with reduced air conditioning, while simultaneously making the waterpark useable when the weather gets colder through the winter months.

Covering 80,000sq ft (7,400sq m), the indoor/outdoor attraction features 11 waterslides, including the first ever Boomerango and Constrictor combination waterslide, the tallest AquaLoop slide of its kind in the US, and a two-person aqua sphere. The waterpark also offers a FlowRider Surf Simulator, 10,000sq ft (929sq m) outdoor wave pool and the longest lazy river in Texas at 650ft (198m). Amenities include a retail store, 4,000sq ft (370sq m) arcade, food and drink outlets, a full service bar and cabanas.

The new attraction – operated by hospitality and waterpark management firm American Resort Management – opens a month behind schedule following construction delays.

“We are ecstatic to finally be able to open Epic Waters up to the public. So much has gone into this building. It’s been an incredible journey, and we know that this is only the beginning,” said Richard Coleman, vice president of Development and Operations for the

management company.

“We’ve taken every step to ensure that Epic Waters lives up to its name in every way, and we can’t wait to share that with the community, rain or shine, year-round.”

The waterpark, which is expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors a year, is the first step in the 696,000sq m (7.5 million sq ft) Epic Grand Central recreation center development, with lifestyle and recreation centre The Epic to open later in the year along with all accessible playground experience PlayGrand Adventures and an amphitheatre capable of seating 200 to 10,000 people depending on its configuration.

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