Indoor water park planned for mall near Pittsburgh

January 13, 2010 at 1:49p.m.

TARENTUM, Pa. (AP) — A Wisconsin water park company has announced plans for a facility near a struggling Pittsburgh-area mall.

Great Wolf Resorts Inc., of Madison, Wis., says Zamias Services Inc. will develop a hotel-water park resort near The Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. Zamias owns the mall in Frazer Township, about 20 miles northeast of Pittsburgh along Route 28.

The mall has struggled with vacancies since it opened in 2005, though the water park could make the mall a regional attraction.

Great Wolf says its resorts typically include a hotel with 300 to 600 rooms connected to an indoor water park and entertainment area, complete with theme restaurants and other attractions.

The company didn’t say when the resort will open.