UK’s biggest indoor tropical waterpark cost £75million to build – but now it will never open

WHAT was set to become the UK’s biggest indoor waterpark, costing an eye-watering £75million to build, will now never open.

Customers were left disappointed as while the highly-anticipated park was due to open in 2023, it never came to fruition.

Images of the proposed waterpark show tropical themed slides and pools[/caption]

The project would have cost £75million[/caption]

Plans were drawn to a halt after the company dissolved last June[/caption]

The ambitious venture was set to ‘put Dorset on the map,’ with it being claimed that the park could welcome up to 4,000 visitors a day.

However the £75million project has come to a halt – as Elyisum Water Park UK LTD has been dissolved, according to Companies House.

Prior to this, Elysium water park and spa in Bournemouth, was set to be the largest in the UK, stretching a staggering 75 acres across Poole and the New Forest.

The businessman behind the Elysium plans, Costa Acodrinesei, claimed the scheme would also create up to 500 jobs, BournemouthEcho reports.

Mr Acodrinesei had set his sights on matching water park venues in Tenerife, the US and Dubai.

Named after the Greek concept of the afterlife, Elysium once promised to large water slides, rapids and swimming pools.

Rides were also set to include virtual and augmented reality and there would have been transparent flumes.

The businessman previously told the Echo: “This is something very spectacular, it’s a very big vision but I know we can do it.

“I want something for the whole community and for everyone to get behind it.”

He had hoped that the attraction would accommodate more than one million visitors each year.

Elysium’s website also echoed Mr Acodrinesei’s excitement saying the site would be “the most extraordinary” indoor waterpark in the UK.

It also promised “a top quality wellness and beauty spa that offers a multitude of facilities including a sauna, hammam spas, massage and beauty treatments, exercise and dance options.”

An X account for the project added: “Elysium will offer so much more than just the core waterpark experience, and will also incorporate another significant trend, the water-based spa aimed at 18+ age group.”

Proposals also revealed plans for a 145-bedroom hotel and glamping site.

However, throughout the process the company faced a string of obstacles and roadblocks.

In December 2019, the Echo reported that the proposed area for the park was in the green belt and near a site of special scientific interest.

The Sun also reported earlier this year that the scheme did not have planning consent and there were major infrastructure issues that would need to be looked into, including road improvements.

Commenting on this issue at the time, Mr Acodrinesei expressed fears over the park’s uncertain future.

The luxury water park and spa was also due to operate year-round, with the chance of introducing eco-lodges and a hotel for visitors. 

At the time of the proposal, the project’s website said that the destination would be “the ultimate waterpark paradise”, including high-quality wellness facilities and beauty spa, with a sauna, hammam spa, massage and beauty treatments and exercise and dance options.

In addition, there were plans to build a lagoon surf park – developed through Adventure Out There 365.

Plans for the lagoon revealed that it would cost £35million and would feature a wave machine capable of producing more than 2,400 ocean-like waves per hour.