Kalahari Resorts and Conventions’ founder and owner Todd Nelson and the City of Round Rock held an official groundbreaking ceremony today as construction begins on the largest indoor water park, hotel, and conference center in the US. Nelson announced that the resort is scheduled to open in November 2020.

“Kalahari is thrilled to bring our authentic African resort experience to the South,” said Todd Nelson, owner, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. “As the Round Rock property begins construction, we look forward to contributing to the local economy and sharing our beyond-expectations approach to hospitality with area vacation-goers, conference attendees and local guests throughout the region.”

The $550 million, 351-acre Kalahari Resort will include 995 hotel rooms and a number of attractions: a 200,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art convention center, a 223,000 sq. ft. indoor water park, 10 restaurants (5 sit-down, 5 concession-style), a luxury spa, retail shopping, an arcade, a go-cart track, miniature golf, and an African themed park with amusement rides, ropes course, climbing walls, indoor zipline, a 12-lane bowling alley, and laser tag. There will also be 3 acres of outdoor pools. Day passes to America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark will also be available to local residents based on resort occupancy.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions groundbreaking ceremony was an impressive occasion with over 250 local government officials, news media, business owners, and other members of the public in attendance. The guests were treated to gourmet food samples from Kalahari’s best chefs from around the country. The 5 sit-down restaurants will include: Double Cut Charcoal Grill, Kalahari’s signature steakhouse experience; Mondo Sortino’s, which includes an Italian Kitchen, Pizzeria and Gelato shop; and 5 Niños Tex-Mex restaurant.

The state-of-the-art convention center will span 220,000 sq. ft. and include 40,000-sq.-ft. and 27,000-sq.-ft. ballrooms, 16 meeting rooms, a full-service business center and 50,000 sq. ft. of outdoor event space.

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“We really pride ourselves on being good neighbors to the communities that Kalahari calls home,” Nelson said. “When we design our resorts, we stay focused on adding amenities that everyone can experience and enjoy – not only our overnight guests.”

The Round Rock resort marks the company’s first foray into the southern market and fourth Kalahari Resorts and Conventions location, joining successful properties in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, Sandusky, Ohio, and the Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania.

Since its inception, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions has been a family owned and operated business. Many Nelson family members work at Kalahari and were on hand for the ceremony.

“We’re delighted to have Kalahari break ground in Round Rock, Texas,” Mayor Craig Morgan said. “This will be an amazing destination for our citizens, as well as families and convention guests from across the state and across the country. We’re proud of the partnership we’ve forged with Kalahari and can’t wait for the grand opening.”

For more information about Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, please visit http://www.kalahariresorts.com/ or Facebook.com/KalahariResorts. You can subscribe to their email newsletter updates by clicking here.