CHULA VISTA, Calif. (CNS) -- SeaWorld Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, the production organization behind "Sesame Street," held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for the future Sesame Place San Diego theme park.

SeaWorld Entertainment announced last month that it will redevelop the Aquatica San Diego water park into the "Sesame Street"-themed park, the first such theme park on the West Coast and only the second in the country.

SeaWorld re-branded Knott's Soak City San Diego as Aquatica in 2013 and will retain many of the park's family friendly rides after the park becomes Sesame Place. Aquatica is scheduled to open for its final season next year on Memorial Day weekend while the 17-acre Sesame Place is scheduled to open in 2021.

RELATED: SeaWorld to open Sesame Street theme park in San Diego County

Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, City Councilman Scott Padilla and SeaWorld Park President Marilyn Hannes attended the ceremony along with popular "Sesame Street" characters like Elmo, Abby and Cookie Monster. During the ceremony, park officials released new renderings of the park.

The first Sesame Place, located outside of Philadelphia , opened in July 1980.