Splash Universe ties Greenwood development to Cabela's delayed plans

By JOSEPH S. PETE, Daily Journal of Johnson County
Staff Writer

A hotel and water park development will be delayed until outdoor retailer Cabela's moves forward with plans to build a store on Greenwood's east side.

Cabela's has indefinitely delayed construction of the store, which was slated to open this fall. Splash Universe is holding off on its plans to build a 164-room hotel and indoor water park adjacent to the Cabela's.

Dean Morgan, a Splash Universe vice president, said moving ahead without Cabela's wouldn't make any sense for the company. The water park's future would depend on the visitors the outdoor store would attract, he said.

As a result of Cabela's announcement, Splash Universe is indefinitely delaying projects near proposed stores in both Greenwood and the St. Louis area.

The Valparaiso-based company operates a water park at a Cabela's site in Dundee, Mich., and has a stand-alone water park in Indiana.

Water park executives learned of the Cabela's decision the same way everyone else did, after the company issued a statement that it was slowing its expansion plans, Morgan said.

Splash Universe hasn't been able to talk in-depth with the Nebraska-based retailer about a new timeline, but they're committed to a Greenwood site, he said.

The timing will depend entirely on Cabela's, Morgan said.

Splash Universe partners with Cabela's on excavation, advertising and grand-opening promotion, he said. The companies benefit by sharing some of those costs, he said.

A hotel would cater largely to Cabela's visitors who need a place to stay, he said.

Morgan said he believes Cabela's is delaying the project only because of an economic calculation and that plans won't be abandoned.

The Indianapolis metropolitan area is a strong market and part of Splash Universe's long-term plans, he said.

Greenwood Mayor Charles Henderson said he's convinced the delay is only a temporary setback to the growth expected to occur in that area.

"This was a business decision based on the economy," he said. "I'm not one of those who think this is a Chicken Little situation, where the sky is falling."