Splish Splash

Who needs AstroWorld? Typhoon soaks Katy as new waterpark set to make a splash

Batten down the hatches; a new waterpark is set to take the Houston area by storm.

As torrential rains hovered above on Thursday, it only seemed appropriate as developers broke ground on Typhoon Texas, located east of Katy Mills Mall at Katy Fort Bend Road and Kingsland Boulevard.

Promising 43 acres of fun, officials boast that the recreational venue will feature the latest and greatest in water rides, including Slideboarding, which teams the water slide experience with gaming. Scott Haycock, a representative for WhiteWater, the company behind Slideboarding, said in a statement, “This ride selection is the best to be offered in North America in the last decade.”

Plans for the park also include a wave pool, lazy ride and other slide rides.

Typhoon Texas is the brainchild of a team of local businessman including Keith Dalton, Terry Hlavinka and Ray DeLaughter, who announced that the new waterpark is "the most exciting recreational and entertainment venue to be built in the Greater Houston Area in the last 50 years."

Of the project, City of Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes said, “This venue will be a great amenity for local residents and will attract visitors from all over the country. It should truly be a destination location for years to come.”

Typhoon Texas is slotted to make a splash in May 2016.

Developers broke ground Thursday on Typhoon Texas, located east of Katy Mills Mall.

Houston, Typhoon Texas WaterPark, August 2015, slides

Courtesy rendering

Developers broke ground Thursday on Typhoon Texas, located east of Katy Mills Mall.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.