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NEWS
Native American tribe unveils US$241m Alabama theme park plan
POSTED 03 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
A theme park is at the centre of the development, with plans to launch in May 2017
A Native American tribe has announced plans for a US$241m (€217m, £194m) theme park and resort to feature one of the US’s longest rollercoasters.

Located in Foley, Alabama, the multi-million dollar plans by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will be built over the space of five years in a multi-phased approach, with phase one slated for 29 May 2017 – Memorial Day in the US.

Dubbed Owa – meaning “big water” and named after a 14-acre lake at the centre of the development – the 520 acre attraction will include a theme park, 150-bedroom Marriott hotel and a number of dining and shopping outlets. It will also sit adjacent to a separate US$40m (€36.1m, £32.1m) sports tourism complex also expected to open in the summer of 2017.

Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots, with concepts giving the feel of a small southern town evolving through time in certain themed districts of the park. In addition to the mammoth rollercoaster, the park will also include a selection of 20 thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and family-friendly entertainment.



Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park. Future phases will include a waterpark, additional hotels, a condominium complex and a resort level RV park. Future phases of development will bring costs to in excess of US$500m (€451m, £402m). The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows.

According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent to US$250m (€225.4m, £201m), drawing up to a million people annually. The development is also expected to create more than 3,400 full-time jobs.

“As a Tribe, we have worked hard to ensure that our businesses bring revenue and jobs into the State and add to the quality of life in the rural communities where they are located,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Creek chair and CEO. “Owa is being built in this tradition, and we are very excited to be both neighbours and partners with Foley in bringing economic development to this area.”
The park will be themed to resemble a traditional southern town
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park
The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows
According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent
Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots
RELATED STORIES
  Alabama businessman hit with US$287,000 default judgement over dead-in-the-water theme park project


The businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal has been hit with a default judgment after ignoring a lawsuit against him.
  Lawsuits mount against Alabama theme park developer


A businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal for Alabama is facing legal drama stemming from the seemingly failed project.
  Company behind DreamVision restructures as US$7bn theme park plans progress


After months of silence following the grand announcement of two US$3.5bn (€3.1bn, £2.3bn) theme parks in Texas and Alabama, the company behind the project has said further plans will be announced by the end of the year after a company restructuring.
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Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
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NEWS
Native American tribe unveils US$241m Alabama theme park plan
POSTED 03 Nov 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
A theme park is at the centre of the development, with plans to launch in May 2017
A Native American tribe has announced plans for a US$241m (€217m, £194m) theme park and resort to feature one of the US’s longest rollercoasters.

Located in Foley, Alabama, the multi-million dollar plans by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians will be built over the space of five years in a multi-phased approach, with phase one slated for 29 May 2017 – Memorial Day in the US.

Dubbed Owa – meaning “big water” and named after a 14-acre lake at the centre of the development – the 520 acre attraction will include a theme park, 150-bedroom Marriott hotel and a number of dining and shopping outlets. It will also sit adjacent to a separate US$40m (€36.1m, £32.1m) sports tourism complex also expected to open in the summer of 2017.

Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots, with concepts giving the feel of a small southern town evolving through time in certain themed districts of the park. In addition to the mammoth rollercoaster, the park will also include a selection of 20 thrill rides, family rides, kiddie rides and family-friendly entertainment.



Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park. Future phases will include a waterpark, additional hotels, a condominium complex and a resort level RV park. Future phases of development will bring costs to in excess of US$500m (€451m, £402m). The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows.

According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent to US$250m (€225.4m, £201m), drawing up to a million people annually. The development is also expected to create more than 3,400 full-time jobs.

“As a Tribe, we have worked hard to ensure that our businesses bring revenue and jobs into the State and add to the quality of life in the rural communities where they are located,” said Stephanie Bryan, Poarch Creek chair and CEO. “Owa is being built in this tradition, and we are very excited to be both neighbours and partners with Foley in bringing economic development to this area.”
The park will be themed to resemble a traditional southern town
Phase one of the development will include the hotel, retail, dining and theme park
The lake itself will include a 300-seat outdoor amphitheatre and boat house, plus boat rentals and fountain shows
According to Poarch Creek, once completed, the project will boost tourist spend in South Alabama by 7 per cent
Owa’s design will celebrate its rural roots
RELATED STORIES
Alabama businessman hit with US$287,000 default judgement over dead-in-the-water theme park project


The businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal has been hit with a default judgment after ignoring a lawsuit against him.
Lawsuits mount against Alabama theme park developer


A businessman touted as a top investor in a multi-billion dollar multi-theme park proposal for Alabama is facing legal drama stemming from the seemingly failed project.
Company behind DreamVision restructures as US$7bn theme park plans progress


After months of silence following the grand announcement of two US$3.5bn (€3.1bn, £2.3bn) theme parks in Texas and Alabama, the company behind the project has said further plans will be announced by the end of the year after a company restructuring.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
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COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
instantprint

We’re a Yorkshire-based online printer, founded in 2009 by Adam Carnell and James Kinsella. [more...]
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Polin Waterparks

Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976. Polin has since grown into a leading company in the waterpa [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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