Texas is about to make a major splash in the world of wave pools with a new $200 million surf park coming to McKinney, a growing city in North Texas. The ambitious project, named Cannon Beach, will add to the state’s wave pool offerings and is expected to draw thousands of visitors annually while boosting the local economy.
Developed by the same team behind the Revel Surf wave pool in Mesa, Arizona, Cannon Beach will feature a massive four-acre wave pool, complemented by a resort-style hotel, entertainment venues, restaurants, and office spaces. The project is projected to create up to 700 local jobs and attract up to 300,000 visitors each year. Construction is slated to begin in 2024, with the opening targeted for 2026.
According to local officials, the development is expected to have a significant economic impact. McKinney’s economic analysis projects that the surf park will generate more than $2 billion over the next 20 years.
McKinney Mayor George Fuller highlighted the dual focus of the project in a statement: “In addition to the tourism aspect, Cannon Beach is positioning itself as a hub for top talent and innovation, catering to both global corporations and ambitious startups.”
The new venture follows the success of the BSR Surf Resort in Waco, Texas, which opened in 2018, becoming one of the first wave pools to bring international attention to the potential for surf parks in the state. The NLand Surf Park in Austin, though short-lived, also added to the wave pool momentum, and rumors have swirled about Kelly Slater’s Wave Co. potentially taking over that site.
If the Revel Surf facility in Arizona is any indication, excitement is building for the Cannon Beach park. The development’s team, including top pro surfer team members, have been refining the wave technology, with recent footage from the park receiving enthusiastic praise from surfers.
As the first major wave pool development in North Texas, Cannon Beach promises to be a significant addition to the state’s growing surf scene, blending tourism, innovation, and economic growth.
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