A MULTI-million-pound indoor water park resort could come to Bicester in the next few years.

American company Great Wolf Resorts has drawn up proposals to build a resort designed to be an affordable and fun-filled destination that families can enjoy.

The company plans to open a Great Wolf Lodge - which is a leading family resort in the US – near Chesterton, next to Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa which lies next to the M40.

Proposals include an ‘expansive’ indoor water park, filled with twisty slides, pools and other water features.

The site would also be home to an adventure park with a family entertainment centre, featuring a ropes course, climbing wall, miniature golf, family bowling, arcade games and an interactive ‘mystical quest’ game.

ALSO READ: South Oxfordshire Local Plan for housing could be restarted

Visitors would stay at a hotel which would have themed rooms as well as conference facilities and other resort attractions include a restaurant, a sweet shop called the Great Wolf Candy Company and a public nature trail.

Economically, the resort will provide a £200 million investment into the area and create 1,000 jobs during construction and around 600 jobs after construction to operate the resort.

After undertaking ‘meticulous’ research, the resort chain said it felt a ‘strong connection’ with the Bicester community, not only because it has great links to motorways and is a reasonable distance from London, Birmingham and Oxford, but the family-friendliness of the community was a significant draw.

Oxford Mail:

A spokesman for Great Wolf Resorts, said: “Great Wolf Lodge is designed to be a convenient holiday experience aimed at young families a reasonable drive away.

“The development of this flagship resort in the UK is an important step as Great Wolf Resorts looks for further expansion in the UK and Europe.

“We are always active members of the communities in which we are based, partnering with local universities on apprenticeship programs as well as supporting local charitable organizations that are focused on families. We plan to do the same in Oxfordshire.”

Great Wolf Lodge is primarily for families who intend to stay for a number of nights at the resort, but Bicester residents would like the resort to open up to offer day passes too, to allow local families to make short visits.

Day passes are offered at some Great Wolf Lodges in the US at a price of around $50 (£39) per person, but people in Bicester would like to see a cheaper price here in the UK.

ALSO READ: Oxford college reveals holiday home plan in Elsfield

David Greene said on Facebook: “You’re looking at $200 for an average family if they do end up offering them [day passes]. Not many families will stump that up.”

Karen Byrne said: “We do need something like this in the area that we can use, but if you have to stay at a hotel to use it, it’s going to be too pricey for people.”

Meanwhile, others say the price of the day pass would not be a problem and is just like going to other family attractions in the UK such as Centre Parcs.

Oxford Mail:

Michael Holding said: “It’s a lot of money but it's a water park and not your average swimming pool. It's similar in nature to visiting Alton Towers etc so I would say it’s a "planned family day" in respect to cost.”

Lisa Giles said: “So it’s a nice one-off treat. If you want a cheap swim, go to the leisure centre. This has the potential to be an awesome water park on our doorsteps that we can all use as a treat rather than having to travel down the road. I’m all for it.”

Great Wolf Lodge has said it is ‘confident’ that it would add day passes to its proposals, ensuring it does not affect the overall stay for visitors who are staying at the resort overnight.

A spokesperson said: “We are confident we can implement a day-pass program, which balances capacity against hotel occupancy levels to ensure a pleasant and safe guest experience for all at our water park and other attractions.

ALSO READ: Leisure centre revamps in Wheatley, Henley and Thame set to be approved

“As this was a topic that surfaced during our first public exhibition just a couple weeks ago, we are still assessing pricing options for any potential day passes in the UK."

Bicester residents are also concerned about the impact it may have on traffic and congestion on the surrounding roads, despite the company’s proposals to create a separate, dedicated entrance to the resort, as well as utilising and promoting the use of the nearby train stations with a dedicated shuttle service.

Oxford Mail:

Karen Simons-Musilová said on Facebook: “The traffic issues around here are already a nightmare. This new water park will no doubt cause more issues.”

Great Wolf Lodge also says that following its public consultation, it is looking at options to minimise traffic flow through Chesterton by directing arriving and departing traffic via the M40 (south), along the A34 and B430, rather than the A41 and A4095 as originally intended.

The company’s projections show visitors would spend an estimated £5.7m each year on retail and catering throughout Oxfordshire.

ALSO READ: Nike and PureGym could open at Kingsmere Retail Park, Bicester

Cherwell District Council is aware of the proposals and said that once a planning application is made, it will be carefully considered.

Great Wolf Lodge is to submit its planning application this autumn once the public consultation ends, with the aim of building the resort next year if planning is approved.