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Hotel With Indoor Water Park Planned Near St. Louis Mills
BY JEANETTE EBERLIN RIZZELO
From all indications the City of Hazelwood will soon have a combination hotel and waterpark facility in the St. Louis Mills area.
At its last meeting, after two public hearings, the city council gave first readings to two bills that will basically pave the way for a Focus Hospitality Services LLC resort with a 150-room hotel and large indoor waterpark.
David Reed, general manager of the St. Louis Mills, told the council the Mills was seeking approval for an ordinance to amend the Mills’ planned district ordinance to allow swimming pool, non-residential as a permitted use in their zoning permit. Reed explained that the planned district ordinance, written in 2002, did not include swimming pool, non-residential.
Reed said, “We feel that the addition of a hotel and waterpark matches what we have been doing with St. Louis Mills and Cabela’s in that it’s all tied to an experience. This would be another destination; one of a kind in the state of Missouri.”
The council gave first reading to a bill allowing the change.
Robert Churchfield, told the council that Focus Hospitality is the owner, builder and manager of this resort. ” Waterpark resorts are designed for families with children.”
“This resort will be built on five acres, and the prototype is brand new to the St. Louis area,” he said, “it’s a get-away vacation for families.”
The rooms carry special attractions for children; some have bunk beds, some have coloring books, and the lobby has décor that fits into the family theme. There will be a 3,000-square-foot arcade with things for children to do, he added.
The hotel can accommodate 650 people, and when it is not full, the waterpark will be open to the public, he said. It is expected that the facility will create about 150 new jobs.
Some of the features of the waterpark are: a “lazy river” theme, which runs under a bridge, big rapid water slides, a waterfun adventure area, a tot pool, an adult hot tub as well as gift shops, party rooms and restaurants.
Churchfield said ground breaking should begin in late July or early August; construction should take about a year.
The council gave first reading to a bill which consolidates four lots into two lots, which, in essence, defines the boundary for Splash Universe.
In other matters, the council adopted a proclamation recognizing the week of April 29 through May 5 as Municipal Clerks Week, which was presented to City Clerk Colleen Klos.
Mayor T.R. Carr expressed his appreciation for Colleen Kloss and thanked her for the important service she provides to the city and the city council. Carr observed that “Colleen is a loyal and dedicated employee. She fulfills her duties and obligations in an efficient and effective manner. She is a valuable and I am grateful for her skills and abilities.”
Jim Kaatz , executive director of MOCCFOA, Missouri City Clerks and Finance Officers Association, was on hand to congratulate Klos on her designation as a Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) the highest recognition given by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, Inc.
“Colleen has completed numerous academy and university based programs and advanced seminars and workshops and is honored and recognized by her peers for extrodinary service to the profession,” he said. Only 527 International Institute of Municipal Clerks throughout the world hold this level of achievement, he added.
