Surf City Waterpark is set to finally open in the summer 2016.

Construction has begun on the new water park and hotel complex located just off of Interstate 90 in Ellensburg.

Gene Martin, owner and developer of Surf City Waterpark and lodge, says that the $80 million resort will provide a major economic boost to Kittitas County.

A primary source of new income for Ellensburg will stem from tax dollars; specifically property tax dollars.

The future site of Surf City Waterpark sits on a 40 acre plot of land right behind Carl’s Junior. Prior to Martin purchasing the property, the only structure that had been built on it was a small farmhouse.

“The taxes on [the property] were $1,800 a year,” Martin said.

Once all of the infrastructure and buildings are completed for the water park, Martin says taxes for the same plot of land will skyrocket. He’s expecting to have to pay up to $600,000 annually.

“It just generates a huge revenue stream for the city,” Martin said.

In addition to utilizing underdeveloped land, the new park will also help the city’s economy by bringing thousands of visitors into Ellensburg each year.

The two hotel structures that are being built as part of the resort will have around 400 rooms.

Tourists occupying these rooms will put money into the local economy by visiting gas stations, restaurants, and stores that are nearby.

Jim Rowe, owner of Wing Central’s Roadhouse Grill, recognizes what it means to have an enormous tourist attraction right across the street from his business.

“It’s a huge positive for us,” Rowe said. “There will be a ton of people visiting that park.”

As a town located right off of the freeway many travelers use Ellensburg as a pit stop, merely stopping in for gas and food.

With the addition of the new water park, Martin hopes that tourists will take advantage of their extended stay by going out and exploring all that Ellensburg has to offer.

“We’re working on a plan to get transportation so that these people [park guests] can leave their car parked here and go down into town and use the shops and see all of the things that are down there.” Martin said.

Local businesses aren’t the only ones who will be impacted by the opening of Surf City. Central students will be gaining new job opportunities as well as a unique source of recreation.

The 117,000 square foot indoor water park will be open year round. Martin says that this is ideal for students who find themselves bored during the school year.

“What is there to do in Ellensburg? Well you can drink beer, you can go float on the Yakima river, but there isn’t a whole lot more for [students] to do.” Martin said. “It gives Central students another option.”

Martin also said that he’s relying heavily on student employees to fill some of the 200 job openings being created with the park.

Zach Budnick, sophomore criminal justice major, said the park will play an important role on campus due to the employment opportunities it provides.

“I’m excited about the water park because it will create a bunch of jobs and I’m unemployed right now,” Budnick said.

Creating opportunities while modernizing Ellensburg was Martin’s inspiration for opening the water park in the first place.

“Change is inevitable. We need jobs here. It’s always been said that our biggest export is the kids who grew up here because there are no jobs for them,” Martin said.