Australian visitor attraction operator Village Roadshow has expanded its US operations, taking control of a water park in Phoenix, Arizona.

A spokesperson for the Sydney-based group said Village has acquired a long-term management contract for the Phoenix Waterworld Safari water park.

Village will take control of the park on 1 October 2008.

The park is due to undergo a $US25m (UAS$26, 16m euro, £13m) expansion programme ahead of the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

The Sydney-based company said the total planned investment in the park will be in the region of $US25 million ($26.24 million).

Village will operate the Phoenix park on behalf of Maricopa County Parks & Recreations Department.

The acquisition comes just weeks after Village took over the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Oahu, Hawaii.

Earlier this year the company completed the takeover of Sydney Attractions Group.