Collier County in talks with Great Wolf Resorts about future lodge

Reporter: Taylor Smith Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: Great Wolf Resort.

Another large resort could be developed in Southwest Florida in the future with the intent of catering to families.

What could become a future Great Wolf Lodge is undergoing proposal stages in Collier County. It would to be a large resort with more than 500 rooms and an indoor water park.

Developers have their sights set on Collier Boulevard off I-75, near the Paradise Coast Sports Complex.

“It would be nice to have something like a big water park for the kids to go to,” Susan Peters said.

Many think this could be good for not only the county but people who are out of jobs.

“It would be a lot of revenue and a lot of jobs,” Lee Lyons said. “We have a lot of people that are out of jobs over here. It would help a lot in that sense.”

The plan is to build on the 20 acres of land next to the Paradise Sports Complex in hopes to keep families entertained while they come for tournaments.

“The synergy is there to keep the families busy and have an itinerary for the rest of the family while other kids are playing,” said.

But the $234 million project was not everyone’s favorite idea.

“We’ve already got a water park, a county water park, so why do they have to put one out there?” Stephen Wantz said. “Environmentally, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

The county said the next steps for this project are to negotiate the development with Great Wolf Resorts and then bring it back to commissioners for final approval in late March or early April.

Some are concerned about overpopulating the already fast-growing area.

“If they are doing that plus with the sports complex, the traffic is going to be horrendous,” said,” Peters said.

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