Kalahari Resorts Coming To Fruition In Round Rock

ROUND ROCK, TX — Kalahari Resorts and Conventions officials on Friday released details on preparations for the site's opening Nov. 12.

To celebrate the announcement of the grand opening date, “Kalahari on Safari” embarked on a journey through Texas, bringing a caravan of 22 life-size animal sculptures, each weighing up to 10,000 pounds and measuring up to 10-feet high to their new home in Round Rock, officials said in a news release.

Officials said the unique animal sculptures — including a dozen elephants, seven zebras, a mother and baby rhinoceros and a cape buffalo — are traveling on four open-air flatbed trailers from Eureka Springs, Arkansas to Round Rock, where they will welcome guests at the entrance to Kalahari Resorts and Conventions.

On Friday, July 17, the "Kalahari on Safari" passes through:

• Dallas at approximately 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Austin/Round Rock at approximately 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions image.

KALAHARI SAFARI SCULPTURE FUN FACTS

• 22 life-size sculptures — 12 elephants, seven zebras, a mother and baby rhinoceros and a cape buffalo.
• Weighing up to 10,000 pounds each.
• Measuring up to 10-feet high.
• 15 months to complete all sculptures.
• Each sculpture is unique — the one-of-a-kind pieces are made of reinforced metal structures formed to create the animal shape, then coated and textured in concrete for an authentic appearance.
• National Rock and Sculpture created the life-size animals. The same company has created original art pieces for the existing Kalahari properties in Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

KALAHARI CONSTRUCTION UPDATES

• Construction is on schedule for a Nov. 12 opening as crews at the resort and convention center install elevators, restaurant equipment and finishes, such as carpeting and finish paint.
• America’s Largest Indoor Waterpark takes shape as construction begins on:
  • 20 pools and whirlpools.
  • 30 waterslides.
  • Attractions, including FlowRider, a rock climbing wall, 23-foot LED projection TV screen, adult grotto swim-up bar, cabanas and waterfalls.

KALAHARI ROUND ROCK RESORT FUN FACTS

• 350-acre resort complex, including three acres of outdoor pools.
• 975 guest rooms.
• 223,000 square feet of waterpark.
• 80,000 square feet of fun in Tom Foolerys Adventure Park.
• Five restaurants.
• 10,000 square feet of retail space.
• 200,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for conventions and events.

HIRING INFORMATION

• Kalahari estimates hiring 700 employees in 2020. Virtual career expos are hosted every Wednesday by Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area (WSRCA). Open positions include lifeguards, managerial staff, culinary staff and information technology work, among others.

For more information about Kalahari Resorts and Conventions: www.KalahariResorts.com/Texas.