Coyote Falls seals land deal

Sunday, 28 August 2005

By TOM JACKSON
tomjackson@sanduskyregister.com

PERKINS TWP. - The developers of the next indoor waterpark in Erie County have met a crucial milestone in the resort's planning stages.

Nebraska-based Dial Family Resorts last week exercised its option to buy 48 acres of land along U.S. 250. The purchase of the land from Larry Holkenborg, 6703 Milan Road, will close in the next couple of months, said Ed Hoty, owner of Edmond Hoty Real Estate, which is serving as Dial's agent.

Dial had purchased an option to buy the land in August 2003 and renewed the option for one year in August 2004, Hoty said. This month, the option expired and Dial had to decide whether to go ahead with the purchase or let the option expire and give others a chance to buy the land, Hoty said.

The $84 million Coyote Falls Lodge is a planned 347-room resort with a 65,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, said Pat Ricketts, assistant to Dial's president.

"We're extremely excited. We feel Sandusky is a great market and a great fit," Ricketts said.

Plans call for Dial to begin construction in the spring, with the waterpark opening by 2008. He said Coyote Falls should generate 250-275 jobs.

A fourth indoor waterpark in Erie County will "keep the tourist industry going strong," Hoty said.

Sandusky also will benefit from a large company's marketing efforts as Dial works to lure visitors to Coyote Falls, he said.

Financing for the project will be wrapped up soon, he said.

Holkenborg could not be reached for comment Friday.

Coyote Falls would be the fourth indoor waterpark in Erie County. Great Wolf Lodge, with its 33,000-square-foot waterpark, opened in 2001. It was followed by the 237-room Castaway Bay, which opened a 38,000-square-foot waterpark in November 2004, and Kalahari Waterpark and Resort, which opened on May 20 with an 80,000-square-foot waterpark and 308 guest rooms.

Plans call for Coyote Falls to have a 400,000-square-foot building. It plans to build on 20 acres, leaving room for further expansion.

Dial Family Resorts is a component of Dial Companies Inc., which has properties in about 20 states, including shopping centers, apartment complexes, retirement communities, warehouses, hotels and office buildings. This is the company's first indoor waterpark.

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