TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP -- A giant water park in the Poconos continues to expand, and by this time next year, Kalahari Resort says it will be the largest water park in the country.
Kalahari isn’t just expanding its indoor water park. The resort near Mount Pocono is more than doubling the number of guest rooms, meaning more jobs and opportunities for people living in Monroe County.
While guests kick back and relax at Kalahari Resorts, contractors are hard at work completing phase two -- a massive expansion project on the newest indoor water park in the Poconos.
“In less than 365 days--360 days to be exact--we’re going to double the size of the resort, so we currently have 465 guest rooms, we’re adding another 520 guest rooms,” said Kalahari general manager Don Pleau.
If you thought the water park was big now, think again.
“It is big, it is big, and it’s soon going to be twice as big, so it will be double the fun. That’s what they’re looking for,” said Dan Mahone of Mechanicsburg.
Kalahari plans to add another 100,000 square feet, filled with a wave pool, an extended lazy river, and more rides, making it the largest indoor water park in the country.
Double the fun also means more jobs for people living in Monroe County, with the addition of more retail, restaurants, bumper cars, and laser tag for the kids.
"When we double the size of the facility, obviously we’re going to have to increase a tremendous amount more,” said Pleau.
The staff will increase from more than 700 employees to well over 1,000.
One mother of two says it’s hard to imagine this water park getting bigger, and plans to make a return trip to see the final product.
“I think that’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be something to see," said New Jersey resident Jessica Gesualdi.
“The Poconos has been a hospitality center for years and years and years, but now it’s coming to a completely new level and we’re very proud to be a part of that,” said Pleau.
Kalahari officials say they are partnering with local universities and colleges to hire workers as they expand. Most of the hiring for that expansion will begin in the fall.