Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark Adds New Team Members as Preparation Continues For 2009 Opening

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – As construction of the new Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark in Kansas City, Kan., moves forward in anticipation of a 2009 opening, new team members arrive on-site with expertise in park operations, project management, marketing and communications, and architectural design that are required to deliver this amazing new waterpark this summer.

General Manager Keith Fontenot oversees all operations at the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark. He has a bachelor of exercise and sports science degree from Southwest Texas State University and has worked for Schlitterbahn Waterparks since 1994. He serves on the Ellis & Associates Advisory Board, is an International Lifeguard Training Program instructor and sits on the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Waterpark Committee.

Project Manager Katherine Fontenot directs the construction process and overall resort development. She and has worked for the Schlitterbahn Development Group for three years and has recently relocated to Kansas to work fulltime on the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village project. Katherine was also project manager for the construction of the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Marketing Director Christopher Ozimek is responsible for all marketing and sales efforts for the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village. He has a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from Cleveland State University and joins the Schlitterbahn team after 12 seasons with Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, most recently as director of marketing at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. Chris is also president of the Greater Kansas City Attractions Association.

Architectural Design Coordinator Mark Stuart is in charge of architectural design and coordinates architectural and engineering support for new developments and ongoing park operations. Mark has a bachelor of architecture degree from the University of Cincinnati and a master of architecture degree from Texas Tech University. Mark offices with the Schlitterbahn Development Group in New Braunfels, Texas.

“Each of these new team members off a unique knowledge and experience that contribute greatly to our success as we prepare to open the first phase of our one-of-a-kind waterpark,” explained Michael Catcott, project executive for the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village. “The synergies resulting from their combined talents not only enhance the launch of the waterpark, but also significantly advance future stages of development as we continue to build the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village resort.”

The first phase of the waterpark is scheduled to open summer 2009 with more than a dozen state-of-the-art attractions including the world’s largest tidal wave river, an uphill Master Blaster™ water coaster, a hot tub with swim-up bar, several mammoth tubing rivers and chutes, giant water slides, an interactive area for smaller children and more. New retail, lodging and other entertainment elements will be introduced during additional phases through 2011.

There are even more employment opportunities available during the construction period. Local organizations interested in bidding on construction jobs and vendor opportunities should attend Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Waterpark’s Community Outreach Event on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Those interested should register for the event by visiting www.schlitterbahn.com/kc/construction, clicking on Registration and filling out the online form.

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Background
The Schlitterbahn Vacation Village is a $750 million year-round, trend-setting, retail entertainment destination comprised of multiple shopping, dining, lodging and entertainment venues connected by a Transportainment® River System. In the Vacation Village, manmade rivers carry guests between lodging units, a world-class waterpark, and a Riverwalk with shops, restaurants and other entertainment.

World-Class Shopping
Scheels All Sport Retail Destination
The Schlitterbahn Vacation Village Scheels store will feature 221,000 square feet of sophisticated specialty shops ranging from technical running gear and the latest fashion sportswear to spectacular hunting and fishing shops. The sport shoe, hiking boot and casual footwear selection is designed to be the largest in Kansas accommodating everyone from toddlers to serious hikers with everything from beach sandals to fashion boots for women. Interactive shopping includes a world-class golf shop, bike shop, ski shop, canoe and kayak shop and fishing shop. The gun and hunting shop boasts the largest selection of guns in Kansas, ranging from everyday shooters to $20,000 collectible firearms displayed in the Scheels Collectible Gun Room.

Special attractions include a 65-foot operating Ferris wheel, a huge 16,000-gallon aquarium, a home décor and gift lodge, shooting galleries and laser-shot shooting simulators. Visitors are able to test their golf, soccer, hockey, baseball, football and basketball skills in the sport simulators. There is a walk of US Presidents featuring two fully animated talking figures. No Scheels shopping experience is complete without tasty treats found at the deli and fudge shop which serves gourmet soups and sandwiches, Starbucks coffee and specialty drinks, 24 flavors of homemade fudge and 18 flavors of gelato.

World-Class Attractions
Schlitterbahn Water Resort
The waterpark will be one of the world’s largest tubing parks with miles of interconnected rivers and signature attractions such as the Master Blaster® uphill water coaster and Torrent Tidal Wave River. The first phase of the waterpark opens summer 2009.

The Riverwalk with its lush foliage and winding walkways will feature year-round destination shopping, dining and other entertainment. The Guada-Comal River is runs through the Riverwalk area and provides a memorable setting for shopping and dining.

The Vacation Village will feature more than 1,100 lodging accommodations including a unique Treehaus Resort with elevated pods, waterfront cabins, and a full-service hotel– all integrated within waterpark attractions.

The Riverwalk and lodging elements open in future phases.

World-Class Attractions Continued
SkyVenture™ Indoor Skydiving
Located in the Riverwalk area of the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, SkyVenture encapsulates the sprit of skydiving with a state-of-the-art controlled flying experience. Completely enclosed in an enormous clear cylinder, guests soar on wall-to-wall airflow created by multiple overhead fans providing the safest and most realistic freefall simulation imaginable.

Additional Project Information
The Kansas project is the first expansion outside of Texas for the popular Schlitterbahn group of waterparks. Widely recognized as the leader of waterpark innovation and as the first family of American waterparks, Schlitterbahn currently operates three Texas waterparks – Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark in South Padre Island, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark in Galveston Island, and the award-winning flagship waterpark at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort in New Braunfels.

Family-owned and operated, Schlitterbahn Waterparks has been a leader in family water entertainment since 1979. The parks offer family amenities that include free parking and free inner tubes. Guests are also welcome to bring a family picnic basket, excluding alcohol and glass containers, into the parks.

Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark, South Padre Island
The 26-acre park opened in 2001 and features more than a dozen family attractions including the state-of-the-art Transportainment® river system. Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark has received the industry’s top awards for design innovation.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, Galveston Island
Ranked the best indoor waterpark in the world! The world’s first convertible, climate-controlled indoor/outdoor waterpark features more than 30 family attractions including three interconnected rivers, two uphill water coasters, and the signature Boogie Bahn surfing ride.

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels
The 70-acre park features more than 40 family attractions, miles of tubing adventures and 238 overnight accommodations. Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort is the most popular summertime waterpark in the United States and has been rated the World’s number one waterpark by the Travel Channel. It has been the top-attended seasonal waterpark in the United States since 1995, according to industry rankings.

For more information, contact the Schlitterbahn Vacation Village office in Kansas City, Kansas, at 913.334.5200 or visit schlitterbahn.com/kc.

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Editor’s Note: Images and an electronic version of this release are available for media use at schlitterbahn.com/news