$140M project planned at old Harrah’s site
The shuttered Harrah’s Tunica Resort is slated to undergo a $140 million transformation into a massive complex housing hotels, a 200-space RV park, a golf course, a youth sports complex and more.
Co-developers Tunica Hospitality & Entertainment, LLC and Milwaukeebased Summit Smith Development unveiled the plans Wednesday morning. The new resort in Tunica County could employ up to 650 people when completed.
The project will include the construction of a 20-acre water park and the youth sports complex. Two hotels on the property will be renovated and will have more than 1,100 rooms between them. An 18,000-square-foot spa and salon, a 50,000-square-foot convention center and “family fun center” with an arcade will also be added to the sprawling property.
The finished development will also have a 100-acre private lake, a sporting clay and hunting center, an RV Park, a boardwalk with dining, retail, and entertainment venues, and an 18-hole golf course renovation by noted golf course architect Rees Jones.
Tom Demuth, managing director of Summit Smith Development, said he was excited to announce the plans and said more details would be made public soon.
“This property is truly one-of-akind, and we believe adding an amazing water park and other family-friendly amenities will enhance our guest’s experience and create a destination for all age groups in this region and beyond,” he said in a statement.
Developers hope to complete the first phase of the redevelopment, which includes portions of the water park, by late summer 2022.
“Water park plans were recently finalized to include a Lazy River; a Downunder drop capsule slides; a concessions area; two swim-up bars with tables and benches; restrooms and locker rooms; raft bowl slide; shallow sunning area with spray features; kids slides; floatable walk area; water volleyball area; water basketball area; flow rider area with bleachers; and more features and attractions added at later date,” according to a press release from the developers.
The resort will be managed by Texasbased Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC.
Harrah’s Tunica Resort closed in 2014.