Florida companies submit bids for new East Manatee water park

EAST MANATEE -- Manatee County received two proposals Thursday for a proposed East Manatee water park near Interstate 75 at State Road 64.

Manatee Lost Lagoon Development LLC of Orlando and Hans Carl Clausen of Bradenton submitted the proposals at the Thursday-afternoon bid-opening meeting. The bids are not public record for a period of 30 days or until an intended award decision has been made, whichever occurs first.

The water park would be built on a 20-acre site, at 400 Cypress Creek Blvd., Bradenton, which is part of 188 acres at the county-owned Tom Bennett Park.

Charlie Hunsicker, director of the parks and natural resources department, has previously told the Herald that the developer will be expected to finance the project, although the county does plan to lease the land.

The water park could include rides such as a lazy river; wave or mini-wave surf pool; inner-tube/mat-race slides; slide towers; flow riders; family raft rides; water coasters; and interactive play area.

According to the request for proposal, preference will be given to those proposing a water-park theme and primarily featuring water-focused rides and attractions.

The competitive proposals are for the "financing, development, design, construction, operation, maintenance and marketing of a first-quality aquatic and recreation complex", according to the RFP.

"The objective is to offer a first-class recreational amenity to the community and to promote tourism through the provision of a destination which attracts families, teens and youth, and to establish a venue that will positively and sustainably affect the area's economic growth and complement other developing programs in the county," according the RFP.

Last September, the Manatee County Commission unanimously OK'd proceeding with the plans for the area's first water park, which is expected to cost as much as $20 million to build. The water park would create up to 140 permanent jobs once the it opens.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024 or at caronson@bradenton.com. Follow her on Twitter @Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published March 21, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Florida companies submit bids for new East Manatee water park ."