The new US$18m (£11.5m, EUR13.5m) Splash Canyon Waterpark, a 25-acre (10-hectare) development in Las Vegas, US, is expected to open on Memorial Day weekend next year.

Construction work has already commenced on-site, with the scheme led by a public-private partnership including SPB Partners; Clark County; and The Howard Hughes Corporation.

A large, 'surfable' wave pool; a three-slide complex with multi-rider tube slides; a children's water playground; and a 1,000ft (305m) lazy river will comprise the first phase of the park.

A big slide complex with speed slides and a six-lane mat racer; a four-storey RainFortress playground; and private cabanas are also proposed in stage one of the development.

Meanwhile, a second phase will see Splash Canyon expand to cover a 40-acre (16-hectare) area. Harvest Family Entertainment will operate the theme park.

SPB Partners principal Roger Bulloch said: "As third generation Las Vegas residents, my brother and business partner Scott and I have long recognized a hunger for wholesome family entertainment in our community.

"After two years of work, millions of dollars in design, engineering and legal costs, and a win-win partnership with Clark County and The Howard Hughes Corporation, we're delighted to bring the community a world-class family waterpark by Memorial Day weekend."

Details: www.splashlv.com