Amusement Park News

There's a new river and plenty of splashing ahead for the town of Bellevue, Nebraska, as Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park just broke ground in May.

The much-anticipated venue should be a major attraction for both out of town visitors and local guests in the greater Omaha region. Developed along with American Resort Management of Grand Prairie, Texas, the park will include the latest waterslides, a lazy river, and an interactive splash zone replete with eight slides just for kids.

The design is similar to others built by ARM. An expansive 140,000-square-feet, the park includes a 60,000-square-foot glass-enclosed structure with a retractable roof. The roof is manufactured by OpenAire. The park's design concept and infrastructure comes from Martin Aquatic of Orlando, Florida. Martin is providing hydraulic, structural, filtration, chemical and electrical specifications along with overall project design. Nebraska's own Holland Basham Architects are at work on interior design, and construction documentation and administration. 



With the park's team in place, according to ARM, the new facility has a projected $60 million facility and will be “the largest of its kind in the region.”

The project was financed by an initial offering of $60 million in bonds, which will be partly paid off with the revenue that the water park itself generates. Its funding was also incentivized by state lawmakers who approved the project's construction and enhanced its future outlook as a part of the region's Good Life law.

Under the Good Life law, the state sales tax imposed within the so-called good life districts will be halved, from the state's typical 5.5% to just 2.75%. Bellevue officials related that the city, in turn, will levy an occupation tax on businesses in the district to more or less recoup that eliminated sales tax. The Nebraska Department of Economic Development approved four districts under the Good Life Transformational Projects Act in 2023, with revisions made to the legislation in 2024. 



But legislation and taxation and the role they played in securing the construction of the much-anticipated facility aside, the water park itself is as expansive in size as its plans are impressive.

Included in the park's plans are seven body and tube slides, all of which launch from the top of a glass tower, which will rise above the main roof, and should provide a spectacular drop. The building itself rises 80 feet.

The lazy river will connect to a swim-up bar for adult guests, while the family-geared activity pool will provide options for more than just waterplay, including basketball and rock climbing.

Summer months will bring some outdoor fun for guests with an attached, outdoor wave pool courtesy of a FlowRider wave machine. 



In all, the park will include 415,000 gallons of water, and hold 3,386-feet of slides, with the highest reaching a towering 60-feet. A grotto area will provide spaces for parties and will serve adult beverages as well.

There will be over 50 interactive water features within the facility, including one 500-gallon tipping bucket. Multiple dining and beverage options will be available throughout as well.

Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park is scheduled to open its doors in late 2026 or early 2027 and will serve as the first project in and centerpiece of what is to be the Bellevue Good Life District. The district comprises 550-acres which will include hotels, entertainment, retail, and other development, all of which is part of a master plan to increase local business opportunities and employment opportunities in the region.

Known for often fierce winter weather in the area, another feature of the year ‘round water park will be the seamless ability for guests to enjoy the park and then visit dining spots or return to a hotel elsewhere in the Good Life District, thanks to enclosed climate-controlled walkways leading to other destinations. 

According to Bellevue mayor Rusty Hike, “This is more than just a water park — it's a symbol of growth, opportunity and the bright future ahead for Bellevue.” He describes the project as setting the community on a path toward prosperity and regional vibrancy. He adds that the new park “should ease the local property tax burden and draw more tourism-related revenue to the city and state” and that the entire Good Life district will be an “economic engine” for the region bringing in “high-paying jobs, retail, community services and entertainment dollars that will vastly increase our tax base.”



In all, the water park alone is projected to bring in over $1 billion in additional monetary value to the city's tax rolls.

“Visitors will come from distances within and greater than 300 miles of this location,” Hike predicts.

ARM CEO Richard Coleman, enthused that “We are thrilled to bring this world-class indoor water park to Bellevue. This project is a testament to the city's vision for economic development and tourism, and we are honored to be a part of it. Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park will be a destination that families will enjoy for generations to come.”