PROPOSED: 7th Wave Resort (aka Shipwreck Falls)

[Dan]

Thanks, it looks like it is going to be pretty nice.

[dgreco]

...if built.

[jencoleslaw]

except that it isn't a day trip kind of place. I think a water park that was like an amusement park, that was open for day trippers would, in fact, do well there. But a water park that is surrounded by hotel, to be used only by hotel guests, who honestly are going to have NOTHING to do if there's no casino, is far less attractive in my opinion.

[CtownMikey]

well if this project is aimed at out of statersas well as the residents here who would like to go... then they wont mind the 15 hour drive to newport and providence to add to their day/weekend trip to RI....................................

[mental757]

well if this project is aimed at out of statersas well as the residents here who would like to go... then they wont mind the 15 hour drive to newport and providence to add to their day/weekend trip to RI....................................

[brick]

I've tried to explain to everyone all this already and more or less got shot down (read the first few pages). I went to the public meeting regarding this project and spoke to the developer afterwards and he clearly said that what's they aim for. This same design/concept works very well all over the mid-west, yet certain people in here continue to link it to the casino. The clientele are families with small children from outside of RI (but in the northeast) doing long weekends - why would you go here for a weekend and spend half your time at the CASINO? Mom is not going to let Dad go over to the casino while she is stuck watching the kids all day or vice-versa. If the people that go to this park have "NOTHING" to do (which makes absolutely NO sense at all - it's an indoor water park remember, thats why they came in the first place!) then yes, they will hop back in thier car and trek to Providence, Newport, or the zoo, etc. Lets not forget that even if Mom and Dad get tired of the water park thing while they are here, they will take the kids over to Showcase (right down the road) for a flick, or in a few years, maybe to the Saratoga museum. It's a FAMILY resort not a coat-tail dragger of ADULT entertainment (casino) - it's not that hard to understand really.

(now watch them pull the fricking project so I look like an ass...)

[mental757]

All over the midwest doesn't have this huge thing called the Atlantic Ocean that allows you to go have fun in the water.

Why would they choose that particular plot of land if they are not at all linked to the casino? It certainly isn't the cheapest piece of land in the state and it has no particular value unless you think I-295 is a major New England route. While I'm sure they aren't counting on all casino clientele there is a speculative portion of their business plan, I am sure, that relies on sympathetic use amongst tourists visiting the "area" which means casino in this case because there is nothing else touristy about West Warwick stripmall-land.

For the record I mostly posted to make fun of Rummy, but I don't really think this is going to get done.

[runawayjim]

All over the midwest doesn't have this huge thing called the Atlantic Ocean that allows you to go have fun in the water.

Why would they choose that particular plot of land if they are not at all linked to the casino? It certainly isn't the cheapest piece of land in the state and it has no particular value unless you think I-295 is a major New England route. While I'm sure they aren't counting on all casino clientele there is a speculative portion of their business plan, I am sure, that relies on sympathetic use amongst tourists visiting the "area" which means casino in this case because there is nothing else touristy about West Warwick stripmall-land.

For the record I mostly posted to make fun of Rummy, but I don't really think this is going to get done.

[brick]

nm, not worth the waste of everyone's time.

mental, sorry my little ocean joke got you so defensive. However, you have to understand that even to people who aren't industry insiders, there is a huge difference between the midwest in the northeast and competition for entertainment dollars in the northeast can't be based on a midwest model. That's really the last I have to say on the matter. Hope the project happens and is a huge success.

[mental757]

nm, not worth the waste of everyone's time.

mental, sorry my little ocean joke got you so defensive. However, you have to understand that even to people who aren't industry insiders, there is a huge difference between the midwest in the northeast and competition for entertainment dollars in the northeast can't be based on a midwest model. That's really the last I have to say on the matter. Hope the project happens and is a huge success.

[dgreco]

except that it isn't a day trip kind of place. I think a water park that was like an amusement park, that was open for day trippers would, in fact, do well there. But a water park that is surrounded by hotel, to be used only by hotel guests, who honestly are going to have NOTHING to do if there's no casino, is far less attractive in my opinion.

[runawayjim]

If it isn't opened to the public as a "six flags" type day trip, then it seems a little ridiculous, if you are going to add the waterpark and make it hotel residents only, I dont see it adding much, who is going to come to WW just for that, WW isn't a place to just visit especially since it has a waterpark. If you have been to texas and go to grapvine that gaylord resort is amazing, and thats something that is worth just visiting, this in WW seems not worth it to me

ps.... we need to rebuild Rocky Point.

[mental757]

who visits Langhorn, PA??? Anyone?? I didn't want to, but that where Sesame Place is.

Why the fixation on WW? It just happens to be there - people will be going to the park, not specifically WW. How many of you visited Ledyard, CT before the casino was built? If you didn't want to visit Ledyard, would you still go to the casino based on what town it is in?

Would you feel better if it was in Coventry, Warwick, Little Compton, or Carolina?

the developer also stated that local visitors will have access and discounts when the hotel isn't full (yes, based on fire codes) and during off-peak periods.

[dgreco]

who visits Langhorn, PA??? Anyone?? I didn't want to, but that where Sesame Place is.

Why the fixation on WW? It just happens to be there - people will be going to the park, not specifically WW. How many of you visited Ledyard, CT before the casino was built? If you didn't want to visit Ledyard, would you still go to the casino based on what town it is in?

Would you feel better if it was in Coventry, Warwick, Little Compton, or Carolina?

[mental757]

the draw is the park itself. If you have small children, then you can understand this. There is NOTHING around Sesame Place, yet we drove there, stayed overnight and went to the park - this is the same idea. If you are worried about other things to do, then pretend you are not a typical RI'er and realise that some of these folks will drive the 30 minutes to Providence or Newport! If you are worried about having a bunch of things to do, then go to Disney or Sandusky, OH - this is a 2-3 day stay 'long weekend' type of place and has been proven successful in many other places.

[chaz200]

I find if funny how the some of the same people who were against the casino because no one would leave and our arts and entertainment venues would wither and die are here posting that there is nothing in WW to attract people.

This is RI people, everything is a 30 minute drive. People visiting this attraction for a couple of days will no doubt want to get out of waterworld for a while and will be looking for other things to do. Unless they have more attractions then the water people are going to seek out other things to do. Think about it, how long can you actually hang out in the water? 4 or 5 hours? That leaves another 4 or 5 hours of time to kill.

I have no doubt that part of their marketing strategy will be to highlight the great attractions nearby like mystic, the zoo, newport etc.

[CtownMikey]

I am all for the park

[MikeR]

the draw is the park itself. If you have small children, then you can understand this.

[Lone Ranger]

I find if funny how the some of the same people who were against the casino because no one would leave and our arts and entertainment venues would wither and die are here posting that there is nothing in WW to attract people.

[mental757]

chaz, Cto0wn, Lone Ranger, and MikeR - thank you for pulling me off the edge of the bridge on this one - I was thinking I was the only one here who an see that this is a GOOD thing for our area - no matter where in RI it is built. BTW, the lot is currently bringing somehting like 76K in town taxes as a forest - even after the TIF, it will bring in almost 500K and increase each year during the TIF until it is taxed at the 'normal' rate after 15 years - this doesn't include the hotel tax money WW will get and the jobs...

[brick]

chaz, Cto0wn, Lone Ranger, and MikeR - thank you for pulling me off the edge of the bridge on this one - I was thinking I was the only one here who an see that this is a GOOD thing for our area - no matter where in RI it is built. BTW, the lot is currently bringing somehting like 76K in town taxes as a forest - even after the TIF, it will bring in almost 500K and increase each year during the TIF until it is taxed at the 'normal' rate after 15 years - this doesn't include the hotel tax money WW will get and the jobs...

[glassandsteel]

Think about it. Take two separate instances. In the first instance, a middle-class couple with a small child goes to Shipwreck Falls for a weekend's vacation. They have $900 to spend, or $300 per person. They check into Shipwreck Falls Friday night. They have to pay for a room, of course. And they have to pay for meals. And travel expenses. After all of that is paid for, their primary means of entertainment for the weekend has already been addressed. Any money they have left over after deducting those costs, they're free to spend any way they like.

In the second instance, a middle-class couple spends the weekend at the Narragansett Indian Casino in West Warwick. They have $600 to spend, or $300 per person. They check into the casino hotel Friday night. They have to pay for a room, of course. And they have to pay for meals. And travel expenses. Now answer me this, chaz: what happens to the excess cash, in this case?

It goes to the casino. Obviously. Because that's why they're there. As I said, when you walk into a casino, your money IS your entertainment.

Do you see the difference between the two? Do you see why a place like Shipwreck Falls would look far less threatening to our existing tourist attractions and entertainment venues? Shipwreck Falls would be a resort, and the Narragansett Indian Casino would be a resort, but the similarities end there. Shipwreck Falls would be another entertainment option in our metro area's portfolio, but the casino would be nothing short of a parasite under the guise of another entertainment option in our metro area's porfolio.

[dgreco]

I find if funny how the some of the same people who were against the casino because no one would leave and our arts and entertainment venues would wither and die are here posting that there is nothing in WW to attract people.

[MikeR]

I was saying I don't see it being completely successful, because there is nothing around the area, not that I don't want this because there isn't enough.

[dgreco]

The place should work because of the location (easy access off Rt. 95). Parkgoers will combine a trip to Shipwreck Falls with a stop on one of the eateries on Rt. 2. My kids always want me to take them to Burger King after spending the day somewhere, for example. Plus, retail will benefit somewhat if someone needs to "stop in" and buy something they've been wanting to buy.