New experiential entertainment resort concept includes lodging, retail, restaurants, conference center and a world-class waterpark scheduled to open summer of 2012

Schlitterbahn, respected world wide for ground-breaking water-based entertainment destinations, announces plans for a new experiential entertainment resort - the Schlitterbahn Boutique Hotel and Conference Center located in Cedar Park, Texas, north of Austin.

Nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, this exciting new resort destination includes lodging, retail, restaurants, a conference center and a year-round Transportainment-based waterpark featuring the award-winning interconnected river technology along with a variety of innovative water attractions. The first phase of this project is scheduled to open the summer of 2012.

Located just minutes west of IH 35 on FM 1431, the initial Schlitterbahn Cedar Park Waterpark build out is a $75 million, 67-acre, year-round entertainment destination that will appeal to vacationing families and business travelers alike. Once complete, the entire project will span more than 95 acres and cost more than $360 million.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to develop our new upscale waterpark retreat concept right here in Cedar Park,” explained Jeff Henry, principal for the Schlitterbahn Development Group. “Our team has been working on the creation and design of this world-class destination for more than two years and we are excited to be announcing this project today. Without the support of the local government, the realization of this dream could not have become a reality.”

The Schlitterbahn Boutique Hotel and Conference Center is expected to entertain hundreds of thousands of guests per year and will create several thousand jobs, providing an economic boost to the region.

As part of Schlitterbahn’s ongoing commitment to the environment, this new park will include the latest in energy and water saving technologies including compact fluorescent lights, LED technologies, low-flow fixtures and the constant capturing, filtering, sanitizing and recirculation of water through the Waterpark’s rides and attractions.

The Cedar Park project is the fifth expansion for the popular Schlitterbahn group of waterparks. Widely recognized as the leader in waterpark innovation, and as America’s first family of waterparks, Schlitterbahn currently operates three Texas water-based destinations - Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, South Padre Island, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, Galveston Island and the award-winning flagship waterpark Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels. Schlitterbahn also recently opened the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark, Kansas City, Kansas. The $750 million Vacation Village is a groundbreaking, trend-setting retail entertainment destination comprised of multiple shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment venues connected by a Transportainment River System.

This new exciting partnership is a collaboration of Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts, along with entrepreneur Rick Redmond, current owner of Volente Beach Waterpark, the Principals of Suntex Ventures, LLC and Garrett-Ihnen Civil Engineers. Volente Beach will close after their 2011 season.