Photos by Brian Smith

A nearly $900 million resort and convention complex billed as Virginia’s largest indoor water park destination is taking shape in Spotsylvania County, and is set to open this Fall. The resort is just 25 miles from Lake Anna State Park, near I-95, off of Route 1 in Woodford.

The development will combine a massive indoor and outdoor waterpark complex, nearly 1,000 guest rooms and suites, multiple dining and entertainment venues, family attractions, retail space and a large-scale convention center, creating a year-round destination designed to serve vacationing families, event planners and regional visitors under one roof.

The 1.38 million–square-foot resort will feature 907 guest rooms and suites, a 175,000-square-foot indoor water park, expansive outdoor pools and attractions, and a full-scale convention center designed to draw both leisure travelers and also be equiped for large-scale meetings, conventions and exhibits..
Boasting the largest indoor water park in the state, Kalahari will be complemented by 10 acres of seasonal outdoor pools, open weather permitting, and a 90,000-square-foot Tom Foolery’s Adventure Park featuring indoor thrill rides, a ropes course, climbing walls, an indoor zip line, bowling, laser tag and more than 250 arcade games.

Guest accommodations will range from one to three-bedroom suites with mini-kitchens, complimented by 12 on-site food and beverage outlets, including four full-service signature restaurants: Double Cut® Steak House, Sortino’s Italian Kitchen, Cinco Niños Homestyle Tex-Mex and B-Lux Grill & Bar.
Additionally, the resort will offer nightly live entertainment and a swim-up bar inside the waterpark.

Designed to serve regional and national conferences, the resort’s convention facilities will total 150,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. Amenities include two large ballrooms, 16 additional meeting rooms, hospitality suites, a full-service business center and more than 50,000 square feet of outdoor event space.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions operates waterpark resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin; Sandusky, Ohio; the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania; and Round Rock, Texas. The company is privately owned by the Nelson family and is known for its African-inspired design and family-focused resort experiences.

Founders Todd and Shari Nelson were inducted into the Wisconsin Business Hall of Fame in 2023.
Once complete, the Spotsylvania County resort is expected to become a major tourism draw for Central Virginia and Northern Virginia, bringing year-round recreation, convention business and increased visitor traffic to the region.

Jen Bailey

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