Grand Texas may be the first planned theme park in the Greater Houston area since the closure of Astroworld, but the Grand Texas Sports and Entertainment District promises to offer more than roller coasters and carnival rides upon its expected opening in 2015.

Scheduled to break ground early in 2014, the entertainment district is on 630 acres in New Caney near the intersection of Hwy. 242 and Hwy. 59, about 35 miles east of Magnolia. The development will feature a 150-acre theme park, a 40-acre water park, three sports venues, 450,000 square feet of retail and dining, three hotels, and an RV park, said Ashley Higson, director of marketing for the district.

"Our goal is to create a destination where a family can go and spend a few days," Higson said. "We wanted this district to provide plenty of entertainment options."

The park itself will feature five roller coasters, midway games and other rides, as well as an educational component among the seven themed areas.

"The theme is to honor the history and culture of Texas, because Texas has such a rich history," she said.

Higson said the park would also emphasize "agritainment," combining agriculture and entertainment with a working farm and a petting zoo. Grand Texas will also house a real steam train, a stage coach, a museum and several live entertainment areas, as well as an adventure area with outdoor activities, such as a ropes course and zip lines.

The theme park will initially be 71 acres, she said, with the remainder available for expansion.

DownTown Texas will contain 450,000 square feet of retail and dining, Higson said, as well as some secondary entertainment. She said negotiations for retailers and entertainment are ongoing, and details were not ready to be announced as of press time.

Hospitality will also be a significant aspect of the district, as the Hospitality Village on the south end of the site will feature at least two limited-service hotels with more than 200 rooms, a service station, standalone dining and a wakeboard lake, Higson said. A contract has been signed with Bonaventure Hospitality Management for the two hotels, she said.

The 19-acre Shady Oaks RV resort is also within Hospitality Village, she said. The resort will provide 136 spaces. Another full-service hotel will be on the north end of the district, offering up to 500 hotel rooms, with convention space and restaurants.

Higson said the district could see as many as 2 million visitors in the first year and as many as 4.5 million visitors by the fifth year.

"Everything is growing out that direction, and we feel that this will be a catalyst in that area," Higson said.