Water Park nears completion; Dick’s Sporting Goods set to begin construction

Field Superintendent Jason Fischl of Wisconsin, left, discusses development of the new Soaring Eagle water park with Jimmy Sanders of Illinois August 8th at the site, 5665 E. Pickard St. (Ken Kadwell/Staff Photographer)

April is a month for new beginnings with the Soaring Eagle Waterpark and Hotel scheduled for completion and construction starting on Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Construction on the resort, 5665 E. Pickard St., has taken about a year to complete.

“Plans for a soft opening are underway, details are not final,” said Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Public Relations Director Frank Cloutier. “Grand opening to the public will take place close to Memorial Day 2012.”

He said since they were able to finish most of the exterior construction this fall, they only lost four days in their schedule because of the weather. Work on the interior was saved for the colder, wetter season.

When the wings of the hotel are finished, the contractors will turn it over to the tribe to begin installing furniture and interior decorating by the first of March.

“The main hotel and waterpark are currently at 75 percent completion,” Cloutier said. “All amenities are installed in the waterpark, but pools will not be filled until mid-March.”

The resort will have a lounge and restaurant that will be able to sit 250 guests with indoor and outdoor seating.

A food court will be placed in the waterpark and will serve fast food and snacks for guests.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

The new store will be 45,000 square feet, located in the Indian Hills Plaza, in the other half of the old Wal-Mart building next to JoAnn Fabrics, Zoning Administrator Woody Woodruff said in a published report.

“They have had the building permit since after Christmas,” said Union Township Building Official Randy Robinson. “They will start building April of this year.”

Robinson said plans for the store have been going smoothly and it’s been good for the township.

Because the store is so large it will be a good option for sporting goods shoppers, he said.

Township Supervisor John Barker said details of the store are not known to many, but it’s a good step for the township’s growth.