Newstrack: Cedar Rapids businessman proceeding with plans for water park

Background

Earlier this year, Cedar Rapids native Nick Ford announced plans to create Cedar Bayou, a more than five-acre water park in Cedar Rapids.

What's happened since

Earlier this summer, Ford created Cedar Bayou Parks LLC, the company for his water park dream. Since then, he's been communicating with city, county and state officials, seeking investors and collaboration opportunities for the park.

The planning and development phase, which will create the master plan for the park, will take place in the coming months, Ford said.

It's a daunting project, Ford acknowledges, with a total cost of almost $100 million, to be roughly split 50/50 between private lending and sponsorships and investments.

'It's a challenging project by far. It's dream big, win big ... but it's fun, too,' Ford said recently in his Cedar Rapids office.

The Cajun/bayou-themed water park is proposed as an indoor/outdoor water park that would include rides, a lazy river, a food court with restaurants and shops, a 100- to 120-room hotel, an RV parking area, and a traditional swimming pool with lap lanes and room for swimming lessons and therapeutic sessions.

'This pool could handle anything short of Olympic trials,' Ford said.

The indoor facilities would be roughly 62,000 square feet, and the outdoor water park would cover five acres.

Maria Johnson, Cedar Rapids communications division manager for the City Manager's Office, said in an email that city staff have met with Ford and are excited about his plans.

The City Council will decide on any financial participation by the city once private investment is secured and if it sees proof that, without city participation, the project could not occur.

Ford said his plan is that any help from the city would not increase taxes.

No site has been finalized for the water park, but Ford said he is fairly certain he will build on vacant land south of Lincolnway Park near the intersection of 66th Avenue and J Street SW. The property is owned by one of the park's investors.

Following the announcement of Ford's plan, some residents raised concerns that traffic to the park would be detrimental to area neighborhoods. Ford said he is exploring the possibility of extending 66th Avenue west across Interstate 380 and connecting to Highway 965 to bring traffic in through the industrial part of town and reduce the impact on residential areas.

While Ford works at his father's Cedar Rapids company, Perfect Game, Cedar Bayou, he said, is his own venture and stems from an ongoing passion for swimming. He's a 21-year Navy veteran, his three sons are swimmers and his wife coaches swimming in Cedar Rapids.

Ford said he views Cedar Bayou as something that could provide residents and visitors a new venue for fun and athletics.

'I want to create something here,' he said. 'We'd love to give them something to do year-round.'