Posted Thursday, July 24 --- 4:30pm
"This is going to be a world class hotel," said Craig Wilkinson with DRMR Development. "And part of that world class hotel is going to be an adventure/resort experience that is like no other in the world."
Imagine going to a resort and having your choice of playing 14 extreme sports. Currently, such a resort doesn't exist. But, it soon will in the Wisconsin Dells.
"In less than two months on September 1, construction will begin on the Wedge Resort. One year later, in the fall of 2009, the $60 million, 15 acre resort will be ready.
In June, DRMR Development approached the state wanting to build a unique action adventure resort in Wisconsin. Their idea was approved earlier this week by the Dells Council.
"The Dells is the water park capital of the world. It is a billion dollar tourism market. And we felt this was a great place to bring it," added Wilkinson.
The resort will employ 350 people and have 400 rooms that cost between $200 and $300 a night during peak season. BMX racing, skateboarding, surfing, rock climbing, zip-lining, go-carts, Nascar simulators, wake boarding, scuba diving, kayaking, and bodyboarding will be available inside. Year-round skiing, snowboarding, and tubing will be available outside.
"Action sports are a growing piece of what is going on right now in America," stated Wilkinson. "America is now spending between a quarter and third of their sports dollars on these sports."
Said Joshua Schultz with Wedge Adventure Sports, "If you can image outdoor skiing with ambitious teenagers or 20 somethings that can get out and don't really care about much and can be in their shorts from the pool grab their snow board go up there and hit the quarter pipe."
"We are very much looking forward to bringing a new destination to the Wisconsin Dells," concluded Wilkinson.
The resort will also have the largest indoor/outdoor water slide in the world.
Right now the adventure aspect of the resort is only for those staying at the hotel. But, plans are being made to make it available to the general public.
A presentation has also been made to the Brewers to build a similar resort at Miller Park.