Sun Life Stadium may be losing the Marlins in another year, but a whole lot of fish could be moving in right next door.
Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross wants to build a multimillion dollar water park on a 40-acre parking lot across the street from the stadium, complete with water slides, waves pools and even an area where visitors can swim with the fishes.
"If there's anything to say about Steve," said Dolphins CEO Mike Dee at a press conference to announce the park, "it's that he's tried to make a splash. Today, I think we take that term literally."
The land will be divided, with 20 acres of attractions and 20 acres of parking. The expensive project will be privately funded and include such attractions as a "surf zone," dumping bucket (we're hoping it's water) and, of course, a wave pool.
Miami Gardens mayor Shirley Gibson said that the water park will make the city "a year-long destination" and create jobs, both long and short term.
Ground breaking is expected to take place in spring 2011, and the attraction is expected to open in spring 2012, exactly the time the Marlins will be moving to their new stadium in Little Havana.
"Orlando has four, Tampa has two, but here in South Florida, there is no water park of this scale," Dee said.
The Dolphins isn't the only local entity with water park dreams. Fort Lauderdale city officials have begun discussions on putting in a massive water park near the executive airport. And Zoo Miami is proposing a $40 million water attraction on their grounds.
