Carowinds adding second wave pool, cabanas

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

[Ed. note: The following is a press release. -J]

Carowinds Boomerang Bay water park will undergo its second multi-million dollar expansion in three years for the 2008 season, adding a new, 600,000-gallon wave pool, rental cabanas with chair-side service and numerous other amenities prior to its opening in May.

Bondi Beach (pronounced Bond-eye), Carowinds second wave pool, will total 34,000 square feet ─ 9,000 more than the existing Great Barrier Reef wave pool in Boomerang Bay  with 275 feet of “beach frontage” (shallow end width), giving guests ample opportunity to sunbathe as they watch the waves roll in on the zero-depth entry. Bondi Beach will measure 75 feet at its widest point on the deep end, with a maximum depth of six feet. Special water effects (geysers) also will be located in the shallow end of the pool. The attraction is named after the world-famous Australian beach located less than five miles from Sydney.

The park also plans the addition of 16 rental cabanas around the new wave pool. The cabanas will provide a great way to beat the heat in a comfortable, shady setting and come complete with chair-side service from one of Boomerang Bay’s eateries.

“Boomerang Bay continues to grow in popularity each season at the park,” said John Shanrock, vice president and general manager of Carowinds. “Even with expansion just two years ago, there’s a need for additional space and attractions, as well as demand for the new amenities that we’ll be offering in 2008. Our guests have told us that they want to see a bigger water park, so we’re happy to give them Bondi Beach and much more.”

In addition to the new wave pool and cabanas, the expansion of Boomerang Bay also includes Beach Bites - a walk up food stand with patio -, a new restroom/bathhouse facility, tube rentals for the wave pool, additional rental lockers and Outback Outfitters, a merchandise and apparel store.

The additions expand the size of Boomerang Bay to 20 acres, bringing the total size of Carowinds to 112 acres.