Pflugerville's Hawaiian Falls Water and Adventure Park has contended with heavy rain since the park's construction began in December, and the facility's grand opening June 9 was no different.
Dozens of guests huddled under tent canopies and umbrellas to take part in the park's opening ceremonies, which took place at the park located at 18500 N. SH 130 on the tollway's southbound service road.
The park's opening day, which was originally slated for Memorial Day weekend, was delayed three times due to weather-related construction delays. Rain throughout May waterlogged the park's construction site, and heavy rain during the opening June 9 ceremony forced the celebration indoors.
However, Hawaiian Falls officials and attendees remained upbeat despite the opening delay and the weather. Dan Goddard, a pastor from South Austin who attended the opening ceremony with his family, took the inclement weather and the opening delays in stride.
"I think most people would say 'stuff happens,'" Goddard said. "I believe in the community concept of what the park is doing. I'll be here every week."
The park's construction is still not entirely complete. Though the park's water features were largely operational on opening day, the adventure park—the facility's dry play area—is not scheduled to open until July 1. In addition, the park's landscaping is not finished.
Speaking at the event, Pflugerville Mayor Jeff Coleman said the park has come a long way since construction began, adding that the park is not perfect yet but is an impressive accomplishment.
"Six months ago we stood here and it was a farm," he said. "Today we have a $23.5 million water and adventure park that Pflugerville and all of Central Texas is going to enjoy for [years] to come."
Hawaiian Falls CEO David Busch said the park will continue to take shape as the season goes on.
"You'll see this thing transforming day after day," Busch said. "It'll get better and better."
The park will hold a second grand opening when the adventure park opens later this month. Admission to the adventure park will be free to all water park customers this summer as compensation to customers for the delayed opening.
In addition, the park will extend its season roughly two weeks past Labor Day for season pass holders as a show of good faith, Busch said.