South Alabama amusement park aiming for mid-July opening
FOLEY, Ala. — A new amusement park in coastal Alabama is pushing toward a mid-July opening and expects to hire 400 seasonal workers through upcoming weeks.
Auditions to work at “The Park at OWA” — the amusement park section of the 520-acre resort under construction in Foley — will begin on Sunday and continue into June. Seasonal employment opportunities will include food and beverage, retail, ride operations, park services and more.
The amusement park is part of the overall project named “OWA,” the first major nongaming development in Alabama backed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The federally recognized tribe owns and operates three bingo casinos in state; none of that is planned at OWA in Foley.
“OWA is going to be a game changer for the Gulf Coast,” said Lee Sentell, executive director with the Alabama Department of Tourism. “This is, I believe, the largest entertainment complex that is opening in the country this summer.”
Officials said OWA will soon announce more details, such as giving ticket prices, setting a hard opening date and perhaps revealing tenants for restaurants.
For now, plans are moving forward to open the amusement park portion of the development that will feature 21 rides highlighted by the Rollin’ Thunder roller coaster. Several national publications have heralded Rollin’ Thunder as one of the most anticipated new thrill rides in the U.S. for 2017.
Part of the initial phase is a new 150-room Marriott TownPlace Suites, which Hellmich said will open in June.
“We look forward to being a good community partner and growing the existing tourism market and bringing new alternative attractions for locals,” said Hellmich. “We have a great team here helping us gear up to make it happen. Everyone is working at a feverish pitch.”
OWA, which was unveiled last November, was initially expected to open Memorial Day weekend. But Hellmich said weather delays pushed back some of the construction, which she said was initially given an “aggressive timeline.”
“We can’t control Mother Nature, and that’s been the biggest issue,” she said, referring to an initial construction project estimated at $240 million.
Said Foley Mayor John Koniar: “Sure, we’d like to have had it open yesterday. But it is what it is. There are 1,000 to 1,100 workers out there, day-to-day. It’s not for a lack of trying.”