The new Surf and Swim is one step closer to reality
Up a lazy river in the noonday sun
This morning, an invitation to bidders was posted for the new Surf and Swim Regional Aquatics Facility. If you wish to see the plans for yourself follow this link: https://garlandtx.ionwave.net/PublicDetail.aspx?bidID=3268&ret=OPEN
Once bids are received and evaluated after the closing bid day April 24, the highest value bid will be presented to City Council for acceptance. I would expect this to happen in late May or early June. Once the bid is accepted, construction may begin.
Several of the items included are bid alternatives which mean they will only be built if 1) the bids come back within budget, or 2) your City Council finds the funding for these items. If you would like to see these items funded, you should reach out now to your City Council representative and tell them you would like them included. Also remind your Council to be financially responsible with the items they do approve and how they manage the city budget and your valuable tax dollars.
The bid package includes a complete renovation of the entire facility. I’ll highlight some of the new features below:
Demolition Plan
The entire existing Surf and Swim structure will be removed. Care will be taken to save as many existing trees as possible.
Site Plan
Parking Lot Plan
Reconstruction of the parking lot on the east side of O Banion is included in the base bid. However, removal of the existing parking lot will be closest to the softball fields west of O Banion Road will be a bid alternate. Hopefully we can find money to include this as the parking lot is in rough shape.
(Image: Google Maps)
The site plan is separated into a slide tower structure at the north; a restroom, changing, and administration building on the west; a lazy river with spray features and a “sun shelf” on the south all centered around a large aquatic play structure in the center. A “double surf air wave rider” (sounds awesome!) is a bid alternate item is on the east side. Shade structures, cabanas and lounge chairs are spread throughout the site.
Some of the site furnishings to be spread around the site:
A sample image of the cabana structures:
A sample images of the slide tower:
You know me and my kids will have races down the slides. I’ll take the purple one!
A sample image of the kid play structure:
Of course, you have to have a huge tippy bucket!
Sample images of the Administration/Restroom Building:
The black and white elevations do not do it justice, but the drawings call for a stone veneer, stucco and tile finish with a metal seam roof. The stone will be sand colored as shown below:
(Image: https://www.whiz-q.com/product//EL-CAAF-0001.html)
The color reminds you of being on a beach, doesn’t it?
And what will be certainly be the most desired attraction: the Double Surf Air Wave Rider! This is a surfing simulator with fast moving water over a padded surface. I can only imagine the lines to try it out! Check out more here: https://www.murphyswaves.com/products/surf-air-family/
None of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the citizens of Garland approving overwhelmingly the funding for this bond project back in 2004 and 2019. The Surf and Swim project is scheduled for completion in January 2026, and I volunteer to be the first one to try out the Wave Rider even if it is in the middle of January.
With the inclusion of a lazy river feature, here is Bobby Darin with his hit “Lazy River” released in 1961. Maybe you’ll be singing it as you float around the new Surf and Swim’s lazy river in a tube.
A question I've received:
"Why is the city paying for this Surf and Swim when we have Hawaiian Waters? Will it be owned and operated by the City?"
The answer simply is that funding for the project was approved by the voters in both the 2004 and 2019 bond elections. In 2004, the voters passed Proposition 3 which authorized $21.68 million for parks projects including "Surf & Swim Expansion" and " Skating/Skateboard Facilities." This was also the driving mechanism for the Comer Skate Park. In 2019, approximately another $12 million was approved as part of Proposition D which allocated $117.7 million for Parks and Recreation Facilities and Improvements.
Surf & Swim opened in 1984 and has been an institution in South Garland ever since. It was marketed as an affordable, family-fun place to take your kids to cool off in the hot Texas summers.
Watch an old commercial here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyUaJKU2J5w
Hawaiian Waters (then known as Hawaiian Falls) opened in May 2003 -- 19 years after Surf & Swim. The private operators obviously thought the market was big enough for two water attractions. They are about 10 miles apart serving separate areas in north and south Garland.
The price for Surf & Swim before it closed was $8 for "Big Surfers" and $6 for "Lil' Surfers" under 48" tall. Hawaiian Waters charges $29.99 for "Big Kahunas" and "$23.99" for "Lil' Kahunas" under 48" tall.
The new Surf & Swim will be owned and operated by the City of Garland as it is in a public park funded by tax dollars. We may have to revisit our admission fees once it opens in 2026.