West Coast water park fans heartbroken to learn $110M project being built 1,500 miles away

Washington residents who got excited about a new water park coming to Bellevue may want to check the fine print: The massive new attraction is headed to Bellevue, Nebraska. Not Bellevue, Washington.

Bellevue Bay Indoor Water Park is a planned $110 million development in the Nebraska city, which sits just south of Omaha.

The Bellevue City Council recently approved an additional $50 million in bonds for the project, bringing its total construction cost to $110 million. Rising labor and material costs have been cited as major reasons for the higher price tag, according to KMTV3.

But news of the project briefly caused confusion more than 1,500 miles away in Washington, where some social media users initially believed the water park was coming to their Bellevue.

“I’m so sad I thought it was our Bellevue,” one TikTok user wrote.

Another person had a similar reaction.

“LOL I live near Bellevue Washington…I actually thought we would get a new water park since Wild Waves is closing,” they wrote.

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The timing of the Nebraska announcement could be adding to the confusion.

Wild Waves Theme & Water Park, located in Federal Way, Washington, is permanently closing Nov. 1.

Some social media users suggested the confusion demonstrated that there is demand for another water park in the state.

Back in Nebraska, officials are betting the project will become a major regional attraction when it opens next year.

Bellevue Economic Development Director Harrison Johnson said the city expects the water park to draw about 600,000 visitors annually.

Officials are also projecting a 35% revenue boost through a branding partnership with Mattel.

Some Bellevue, Nebraska, residents say they are optimistic about what the development could mean for the local economy.

“It is very expensive but with expensive things I think that there will be a very big return on it for the city,” resident Windsor Nguyen-Thompson told KMTV3.

Jean Ohern, another resident, said the city needs attractions that can help spur growth.

“We need something here. Bellevue needs to grow. Hopefully it will pay for itself when everyone starts going to it,” Ohern told the station.

Not everyone is convinced that a water park should be the city’s priority, however.

Resident Melanie Ahlstrom told KMTV3 she would rather see more public money directed toward existing infrastructure and community services.

“I think old town Bellevue should be invested into,” Ahlstrom said. “So why are we not putting more money into making our roads safer, making our sidewalks safer? Why are we not giving more money to the library?”