Huge water park with 'ocean views' is in the works in Arizona. The latest on Phoenix Surf

KiMi Robinson, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
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A “world-class surf experience” with sandy beaches, wave pool, hotel and lazy river is in the planning stages for Maricopa.

In a bid to the city last year, Mesa-based PHX Surf LLC proposed “a facility to offer a world-class surf experience along with play pools and related amenities to offer food, beverage, retail and outdoor recreational elements,” according to a lease agreement the Maricopa City Council passed on May 18, 2021.

The venue, about 35 miles south of downtown Phoenix, is named Phoenix Surf on the city's "What's New Maricopa" website, which details commercial and residential projects.

Phoenix Surf "will create a unique attraction that offers advanced active entertainment, progressive surfing experiences, water play, related retail and dining, concert and open space and hospitality — all immersed with 'ocean views' and the sound of crashing waves breaking in the desert sun," according to PHX Surf's preapplication narrative obtained by The Arizona Republic in 2021.

Though not much noticeable progress has been made over the past year, on July 26, 2022, there was a public hearing for the developer's request to rezone the land, according to city records. PHX Surf also submitted an entitlement package dated May 2, 2022, that shares more details of its development plans.

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What we know about the new Arizona surf park

Proposed plans detailed in the 2021 lease agreement between Maricopa and PHX Surf include two wave pools, water slides, lazy river, bike pump track, spa and stage for live entertainment.

The development could also include a hotel, an RV parking lot, a "tiny home village," stores and restaurants.

According to AO Architects' entitlement package submitted to the city and obtained by The Republic, the project summary shows the following amenities:

  • A retail district.

  • A surf center and surf academy village.

  • Two surf lagoons.

  • An 80-bedroom, 4.5-star hotel.

  • Surf villas with one- and two-bedroom units.

  • A 17-acre water park.

  • A 1-acre pump track.

  • An event and entertainment venue.

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In the lease agreement between Maricopa and PHX Surf, a number of potential recreational options were listed, including:

  • On-water yoga, paddle boarding, windsurfing, surfing “and related activities.”

  • Sand beach and sand volleyball.

  • Swimming pool, wave pool and lazy river.

  • Swim classes.

  • Event spaces and party rooms.

As part of the lease agreement, Maricopa residents should be entitled to a 10% discount at the venue.

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Where the new Arizona surf park would be built

This aerial map found in PHX Surf's pre-application narrative shows where the surf facility would be located, at the southwest corner of West Smith Enke Road and North Loma Road in Maricopa.
This aerial map found in PHX Surf's pre-application narrative shows where the surf facility would be located, at the southwest corner of West Smith Enke Road and North Loma Road in Maricopa.

The venue would be built on more than 70 acres of vacant land at the southeast corner of State Route 238 and Loma Road in Maricopa.

It would be near other new developments. According to the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission, on the east side of Loma Road will be a 3-acre commercial development called West Maricopa Village and also Estrella Gin Business Park, which would have office and warehouse space.

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When will Phoenix Surf open?

The venue will "develop in multiple phases," according to PHX Surf's preapplication to the city. No timeline for development has been released.

According to AO Architects' proposed development and phasing plan, the north surf lagoon will be phase one, and the south lagoon will be part of phase two. Phase three will entail building the water park.

The Arizona Republic has reached out to PHX Surf for more information. The destination's website, https://www.phxsurf.com, may be updated as the project develops.

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Revel Surf also is coming to Arizona

This is just the latest water park news in Arizona.

Last March, Cannon Beach Developers broke ground on a 37-acre water park and mixed-use project in Mesa. Revel Surf, a 3.3-acre surf lagoon, is planning to open there, flanked by a hotel, office space and eateries coming at a later date.

Reach the reporter at kimi.robinson@gannett.com or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin and Instagram @ReporterKiMi.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: PHX Surf plans huge water park for Maricopa, Arizona