The Corpus Christi Schlitterbahn tower is the last remnant of the demolished Waves Resort Corpus Christi. The land will be repurposed by its owner, Diamond Beach Holdings. Staff photo
Former Corpus Christi Schlitterbahn razed to make way for new development
Wreckers of the Waves Resort Corpus Christi have found that it takes a lot less time to destroy the property than to build it. Originally opened in April 2016 as Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi, the water park of slides, a lazy river, and pools is now gone. Also, felled were the restaurant and hotel rooms.
Diamond Beach Holdings LLC owns the property, which was purchased from Schlitterbahn in 2018 due to bankruptcy. The new owners injected more than $15 million into the mixed-use park at that time, adding special event space and enhancing the entertainment facilities.
In February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, barely allowing time for the park to establish itself before closing down. Waves Resort announced in September 2020 that it would not reopen until May 2021. In March 2021, Diamond Beach Holdings gave notice that the park would be demolished to make way for a new and improved development on the property.
When the new Park Road 22 bridge is finished, the property will increase in value. In addition, Diamond Beach Holdings and Padre Island Holdings completed a $2.3 million canal last fall that connects Lake Padre to the east of Park Road 22 with the Padre Isles canal system to the west of the road, further enhancing the area’s value for residential and commercial development.
Waves Resort was one of two water parks in Corpus Christi. Hurricane Alley Waterpark reopened in June 2020 with a limited capacity due to the pandemic. Hurricane Alley is located at 702 E. Port, next door to Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks.
