Indoor water park coming to Colorado Springs

A major hotel in Colorado Springs has stood empty for six years, but now plans are in the works for a large indoor water park.

“If you think about six years ago, that was the recession, lots of projects stalled out,” said Dirk Draper with the Colorado Springs Business Alliance.

That’s exactly what happened to the Renaissance hotel northeast of I-25 and Interquest Parkway on the north side of the city.

The hotel was never completed, but now, new energy is coming to the area. Great Wolf Resorts has bought the hotel for $18 million.

The deal comes as a big relief to local business owners.

Colorado Mountain Brewery is next to the abandoned building. General Manager Carolyn Temple says it’s stood empty since the brewery opened shop.

“I think everyone is excited,” she said. “Getting it open and getting something done, It’s been sitting here for a long time.”

Temple also says customers frequently ask about the partially boarded-up building.

While the specifics of the deal are still private, most Great Wolf Resorts usually feature 300 to 600 rooms.

The company has not said when the new indoor water park is expected to open.