BUSINESS
The endless summer Is PHX Surf the oasis it claims to be or just a mirage? BY MONICA D. SPENCER
Opposite: Villas at PHX Surf will look like something out of a Star Wars movie. | Above: Initial sketches showed a traditional, rectangular wave pool. | Left: Borrowing from a Canadian firm’s design for a German waterpark, the wave pool at PHX Surf will now be shaped like sunglasses. | Right: A 2021 conceptual site plan showed waterslides and a lazy river, elements that were since nixed in pursuit of transforming the waterpark idea into a wellness retreat for surfers.
The design changes are intentional, according to LaGrassa and her partner Greg Fernandez. “A lot of wave pools look like an old-school water slide park,” Fernandez said. “We are looking at building a wellness oasis.” That means focusing on design choices that flow smoothly without jutting angles and incorporating natural earth tones with a “modern, elevated design aesthetic,” he said. LaGrassa said these design choices would help the park to stand out from the dozens of other waterparks in the Phoenix metro. “Those rectangular shapes are something you would find at any waterpark and it’s less natural,” she said. “We really want you to feel like you’re in an oasis, so having this lagoon shaped like sunglasses gives us more beachfront.” The lagoon and villas One of the most notable design changes is the surf lagoon, which transformed from two rectangular wave pools to something that resembles a common accessory found in both the desert and beach — sunglasses. The lagoon was designed by Vancouver- based surf park design firm Endless Surf, and
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“We are focusing on harmonizing surf with wellness by creating a staycation type of venue,” LaGrassa said. “We want to build this oasis in the desert and using surfing and riding the wave as an analogy for all our programming.” Ground could break next month If there’s anything LaGrassa knows, she said, it’s that Maricopans have had their patience constantly tested with development projects falling through over the years. Apologizing for the changes and delays, she said: “Thanks for keeping the faith. It is coming.” PHX Surf formally submitted paperwork for a development review permit Sept. 23, meaning the next step is for Maricopa’s Planning & Zoning Commission to review updated plans, narratives and staff memos. Planning & Zoning Manager Rick Williams hinted to reporters the Nov. 25 agenda would feature an item of unique interest, though he did not elaborate.
The city council won’t meet until the following week, Dec. 3. Assuming everything is in lockstep, it’s possible a groundbreaking could take place in mid-December, officials said. LaGrassa’s excitement as the park inches closer to fruition is palpable. “We just don’t want to over promise and under deliver,” she said. “Nobody’s more excited about getting this up and running than us. It’s been a crazy roller coaster, but I will be very excited when we literally have a shovel in the ground.” Back to the drawing board In the meantime, would-be surfers can fawn over newly released images that reveal a vastly differ- ent waterpark than the one introduced in 2021. A glance at the latest renderings and preliminary site plans makes a few things clear: Construction will occur in two phases, many previously touted features are missing and everything has taken on curvy, organic shapes.
ATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC DEFINES an oasis as an area made fertile by a source of freshwater in an otherwise dry and arid region.
Just add chlorine, and you’ve got PHX Surf — fertile grounds for a new kind of economic development in Maricopa. It’s been months since much has been said about the 34-acre, $100 million waterpark proposed at the southwest corner of State Route 238 and Loma Road on Maricopa’s west side. And by what little chatter there has been, the conversation shifted tone. PHX Surf burst onto the scene three years ago with promises to be a blown-up version of Golfland Sunsplash in Mesa or Oasis Water Park in Phoenix with beaucoup water slides, lazy rivers and high-decibel entertainment. Instead, PHX Surf CEO Erin LaGrassa now envisions creating an oasis in the desert, focusing on wellness and “barefoot luxury” centered around surfing.
InMaricopa.com | November 2024
November 2024 | InMaricopa.com
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