Luxury Waterpark Coming to Nashville

By Keith Loria, Contributing Editor

Nashville, Tenn.—Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. is developing SoundWaves, a $90 million luxury indoor/outdoor waterpark, adjacent to Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville.

The proposed project would consist of 111,000 square feet of upscale indoor water attractions and activities over three levels and another 106,000 square feet of outdoor water amenities.

SoundWaves

“Gaylord Opryland has been a driving force for convention and leisure travel to the Nashville market for decades,” Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties’ chairman & CEO, said in a prepared release. “We view this project as a tremendous opportunity to further cement Nashville’s must-visit status with a one-of-a-kind amenity that will appeal to group customers while also serving as a major demand inducer for families and adult leisure guests looking for upscale recreation options.”

Blur Workshop will design the project, which will have dedicated indoor and outdoor recreation zones for adults, young children and families, as well as dining options and private cabana rentals.

According to Reed, the project is expected to drive increased outside-the-room spending and additional points of premium-rated transient occupancy by enticing visitors to extend their stay in Nashville.

SoundWaves

Year-round indoor attractions include an indoor slide tower with slides ranging from 32-to-46-feet tall, a double flow rider, rapid and lazy rivers, an activity pool with rock climbing and more features to be announced as the project progresses. Seasonal outdoor features include a 315,000-gallon wave pool with a giant LED movie screen, a 45.5-foot slide tower, an adults-only pool and a kids pool with a multi-level play structure.

“Our city is fortunate to have a vibrant tourism and hospitality industry that creates quality jobs for residents and generates tax revenues that fund schools and other essential services,” Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, said in the release. “Continued investment in all areas of the city, such as the project Ryman Hospitality Properties is planning, is vital to our success as a welcoming city for tourists as well as an ideal place to live, work and play. This park, once completed, will not only create jobs and generate revenue at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center but also will enhance and benefit the Donelson economy, especially along the Music Valley corridor.”

The project is temporarily slated to open in fall 2018.