Aviation-Themed Water Park in Yamhill County?

It was reported today in the Oregonian that plans are in the works for an 80-90 room resort lodge and separate indoor water park at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum near McMinnville. The lodge and 50,000-square-foot water park would follow the aviation theme of the museum.

There will be a 747 jetliner mounted on the water park's roof and visitors will be able to slide out of a real 747 aircraft into the pool.

The museum campus is located just east of McMinnville on Oregon 18, the museum campus includes twin 120,000-square-foot display facilities and a 55,000-square-foot IMAX Theater.

Negotiations with local-land-conservation groups have cleared the way for a 30-acre property swap that would allow the site to be brought into McMinnville's urban growth boundary, while removing other Evergreen property from development. Land conservation groups felt the land swap was reasonable and support the development plans. McMinnville voters must approve a May Ballot initiative to annex the 30 acres of land before Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum's aviation-themed lodge and indoor water park can proceed.

Vineyards, wineries and local events are draw to the area and the water park will add to that appeal. Because the museum is a destination location, the lodge would offer higher-end accommodations. The interior would feature a rustic lobby with a lodge-type feel.

The McMinnville Planning Commission unanimously approved the necessary zoning changes for the project. If the annexation initiative passes, the rezoning process moves to the McMinnville City Council for approval. The museum will also have to comply with the permit process. If all goes well, construction could start as early as this summer.

The lodge would be constructed first. Both facilities would be large-scale projects and are expected to take between 18 months to two years from start to finish.

This is the second luxury resort planned for the area as The Allison Inn & Spa is being built in Newberg, about 15 miles to the east. The Allison will cater specifically to wine-country tourists.

Sandy Mitchell 503-502-6408

Source: The Oregonian: Kate Rowland

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