Officials break ground for ‘Paradise Cove’ at Sun Splash Family Waterpark
Cape Coral residents are in for more water park fun as Sun Splash announced the building of its newest attraction, Paradise Cove.
The announcement was made Thursday morning at a groundbreaking ceremony held at the city-owned, privately operated park on Lake Kennedy Drive.
The new attraction will hold 160,000 gallons of water and have equipment to create waves for park-goers. The wave pool will be located in the back section of the park near the three drop slides: Terror Tube, Thunder Bump, and X-Cellerator.
Paradise Cove is designed to provide guests with a relaxing experience. Seating will be staged around the 5-foot-deep wave pool. While the attraction's construction was delayed due to the most recent hurricane, Hurricane Milton, the city is excited about what it will bring to the park.
Pro Parks Chief Executive Officer John Hyltin discussed the attraction's plans and what they hold for the future of Sun Splash Family Waterpark.
"The Paradise Cove wave pool represents about 160,000 gallons and is 12,000 square feet. It will have a wave pool, cabanas, chairs, and more shade for the guests coming in," Hyltin said. "Since we took over the water park, the attendance has grown so much that we were getting concerned about customer satisfaction coming into the park, and so this capital expenditure is needed, and we're very excited about the groundbreaking today."
The area is planned to be safe for kids of all ages to play in and will be suitable for parents to relax as they watch their children by the pool or enter with them, officials said.
"It'll also have the latest technology in wave-making equipment, so it will make waves for big kids, little kids, and everybody in between," Hyltin said.
An audiovisual system also will be added for private events, team-building company outings, and more. The system has a projection on the screen that allows operators to speak to viewers directly.
Hyltin credits the city with the water park's success, and they have worked together to make Sun Splash an enjoyable place for the community.
"What a wonderful partnership we have with the city. When we took this park over three years ago, and we're down our current season, we didn't know what the future would hold. So the city has been a great partner working with us as we need to grow the park and make changes, to work with us in those things." Hyltin said.
Features of Paradise Cove include:
–12,000 square-foot wave pool
–Zero-depth beach entry into the wave pool
–adjustable waves
–New seating for more than 300 guests
–Additional shade and luxury cabanas
–16-foot x 9-foot wave pool video screen
Lee County Visitor Convention BureauProduct Development Manager Nancy Macphee spoke of the VCB's role in making the attraction come to life.
"The goal of the Visitor Convention Bureau, of course, is to promote Lee County to the world. Our sales and marketing teams spend every day each year promoting Lee County in various ways. And if it were not for attractions like this and the future here with Paradise Cove, it makes our job a little bit more difficult," Macphee said. "To say that we have Paradise Cove and you can bring your conference attendees here for a special event is going to tip the needle in our favor in the future, and the last piece of it is Cape Coral has excellent parks already."
Macphee has lived in Cape Coral for more than 30 years and has watched her sons grow up spending summers at Sun Splash. She is excited to see their growth and advertise for Paradise Cove.
"We will bring journalists in, we will bring travel writers in, and we will share imagery and make sure that everything we're talking about includes Paradise Cove in our marketing efforts," Macphee said.
Cape Coral City Councilmember Robert Welsh was among the officials attending the groundbreaking and he shared his experience with Sun Splash and his excitement for the new attraction.
"I lived just across the canal from Sun Splash growing up, and it was always where we came during summertime with my sister and my family. Young families back then were more challenging to find Cape Coral." Welsh said. "I can't tell you how many times I've gone around the Lazy rRver; now I'm going to spend hours soaking in the wave pool with my nieces and nephews. I think this is the perfect time for this to happen with the opening of the racquet and pickleball center."
For many, like Welsh, Sun Splash has always felt like home and adding more attractions to the park gives the community a chance to experience the summer fun Welsh has had over the years.
"We've got plenty of great opportunities. I want to thank everyone who's worked on this project for your dedication and hard work. I truly appreciate it." Welsh said.
The park plans to open Paradise Cove in the summer of 2025. For more information on Paradise Cove, you can visit
Sun Splash Family Waterpark is at 500 W Lake Kennedy Dr, Cape Coral, FL 33991.
