If you’ve heard of Schlitterbahn Waterparks, then you’re no stranger to the “gallons of fun” (pun intended!) they provide to millions of people each year at their 5 locations throughout Texas and Kansas. (Perhaps you've seen them on many a Travel Channel special?!) Family-owned and operated since 1966, Schlitterbahn Waterparks - German for "Slippery Road" - continue to set the benchmark for family entertainment of the H2O kind. Sometime in the near future, residents and visitors to Broward County, FL will get to join in on the fun, as well, as the city of Fort Lauderdale has recently approved the construction of the newest Schlitterbahn Park and Resort.

The company hopes to attract South Florida tourists to the one-time spring training site of the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles. The recently approved plan covers about 64 acres just a half-mile west of Interstate 95 between Commercial Boulevard and Cypress Creek Road, including the site of the old Fort Lauderdale Stadium and Lockhart Stadium, the current home of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team.

More than double the size of its nearest competitor, Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach, the proposed water park features a state-of-the-art interconnected system of rivers and rides that visitors can enjoy without ever getting out of their inner tubes. It's family-friendly, with plenty of attractions for younger children, no parking fees and no rental charges for inner tubes, life jackets or the use of picnic tables. Visitors can pack a cooler and bring their own lunch into the park. The park's river system,which Schlitterbahn has dubbed “Transportainment”, blasts riders on conveyor belts through "uphill watercoasters," allows them to float through lazy sections and rapids, and offers detours through thrilling chute rides.

The plans call for even more than water adventures at the park. They include "Treehaus" luxury suites that will rise around the perimeter of the park. From the outside, the lodgings look like a treehouse constructed by kids, but inside feature deluxe accommodations and luxury finishes. A three-bedroom suite with pull-out couch in the living room could accommodate as many as 12 people and run $1,000 a night during peak season, according to the company’s spokesperson. Though the park likely won’t open until Summer 2017, they are estimating the cost of a one-day, full-price adult admission to the park at about $50.

The $50 million first phase is construction of the water park at the northern end of the property. Portions of Fort Lauderdale Stadium will be left standing to form a castle-like entrance to the water park. It will have restrooms, dining areas and shops. The initial phase will also include four soccer fields at the southern end of the property for use by local schools and athletic organizations. A second phase includes the redevelopment of Lockhart Stadium and expansion of the water park around it. No timetable has been set for that work, which could cost another $60 million.

Company officials say their schedule will be similar to that at Rapids — a 170-day season that encompasses the summer, fringe weekends and Spring Break. Although the park is in South Florida, its owners expect the main “season” to be the same as their locations elsewhere — Memorial Day to Labor Day, when it's the hottest and kids are out of school.

The company expects to employ up to 1,000 seasonal employees during the peak summer season with an additional 75 full-time employees, hoping to aid two of the hardest-hit sectors of the workforce: seniors and students, all the while offering South Florida another great family entertainment destination. We’re looking forward to this great addition to Fort Lauderdale!