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Lauderdale picks new firm to build a water park

Premier Parks plans to build a Wet 'n' Wild park after Schlitterbahn drops out of the competition for a city-owned site

Premier Parks owns the Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach.
Premier Parks owns the Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach.

Premier Parks plans to build a water park bearing the Wet ‘n’ Wild brand in Fort Lauderdale on a 65-acre, city-owned site.

Another company called Schlitterbahn had planned to build on water park on the 65-acre site next to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.

But Premier filed a lawsuit claiming the city government should have solicited competitive bids to build a water park on its 65-acre site, and a judge agreed.

The city subsequently solicited bids for the project, but Schlitterbahn didn’t submit one.

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Premier submitted the winning bid to lease the city-owned land and build a water park there. The company owns Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach, the largest water park in South Florida.

Premier and the city will negotiate a lease agreement and a profit-sharing deal, subject to approval by city commissioners.

Plans submitted to the city show that Premier intends to build a water park with such features as a lazy river, a wave pool, a raft-riding attraction and two speed slides, each measuring 70 feet tall.

The city-owned 65 acres is occupied by Lockhart Stadium, which will be renovated, and Fort Lauderdale Stadium. [Sun-Sentinel]Mike Seemuth

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