Resort to open in 2022; add $240M in Glendale revenues
Crystal Lagoons Island Resort also pegged to bring 1,800 jobs
Posted 9/9/20
The Glendale City Council on Sept. 8 voted to approve a development agreement to bring a Crystal Lagoons Island Resort to the city’s Sports and Entertainment District, near Westgate, State Farm Stadium and Gila River Arena.
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Resort to open in 2022; add $240M in Glendale revenues
Crystal Lagoons Island Resort also pegged to bring 1,800 jobs
Posted
This project further cements Westgate as the largest Sports and Entertainment District in Arizona.”
Glendale city manager Kevin Phelps
The Glendale City Council voted Sept. 8 to approve a development agreement to bring a Crystal Lagoons Island Resort to the city’s Sports and Entertainment District, near Westgate, State Farm Stadium and Gila River Arena.
Located at the southeast corner of Cardinals Way and Loop 101, Crystal Lagoons Island Resort is expected to bring an estimated $700.8 million in new sales, property and bed tax revenues to the city, county and state during the next 25 years, according to the city. Glendale’s portion of the revenues are estimated at $240.5 million.
The project's main feature will be an 11-acre public access lagoon that will be up to 10-feet deep.
“Crystal Lagoons, the world’s top amenity, is excited to bring the first branded Crystal Lagoons Island Resort entertainment destination to Glendale, Arizona,” Miami-based Crystal Lagoons vice president Eric Cherasia stated in a news release. “As you will see in our announcements over the next few months, we have teamed with some of the world’s top attraction, entertainment, and hospitality brands to create the next wave in entertainment destinations.”
The resort is planned as a single-phase development that is expected to be open to the public in 2022, ahead of Glendale’s hosting of the Super Bowl in 2023.
The resort is estimated to bring 1,800 net new jobs to Glendale.
The council also voted to approve government property improvement leases for the project.
“We’re excited for this project on many fronts, but two really stand out,” Glendale city manager Kevin Phelps stated. “Not only will this be a great example of experiential retail, which is the only area of growth in brick-and-mortar development over the past 10 years, but this project further cements Westgate as the largest sports and entertainment district in Arizona.”
In addition to the lagoon, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy seven islands, each with their own theme, retail spaces, Fly and 4-D theaters, venue space, restaurants, a family entertainment center, amusement rides, office space and more than 600 hotel rooms and more.
“I am so excited and pleased to announce yet another private investment project for the ever-growing Yucca District,” Yucca District councilmember Joyce Clark stated. “It brings a new level of adventure, recreation and entertainment that complements our vision for the Westgate area. I thank our new, visionary partners for their confidence in Glendale as their location of choice. Tonight’s action emphasizes this council’s goal of job creation that will further support our community.”
As part of the project deal structure, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, the city council will act on additional agreements to support this project.
“I am so proud of the continued successes in the sports and entertainment district,” Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers stated. “An amenity of this magnitude adds to Westgate’s mega event appeal and will generate significant revenue to support residents, businesses, and the state as a whole.”
