CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW
$4 MILLION DOLLAR WATERPARK

COLLINS, MISSISSIPPI, March 21, 2006:  Construction has begun on the Grand Paradise Water Park located halfway between Jackson and Gulfport on highway 49.  The estimated four million dollar development is the latest from local businessman and developer, Billy Pickering.  “This is the most exciting thing I’ve ever been a part of” said Pickering whose family will own and operate the new water theme park.   “This is going to be a big thing for south Mississippi” added Pickering.  “It’s going to create a lot of jobs and help boost the economy around here.” 

Pickering went on to say, “It’ll be clean family fun for every member of the family.” Market studies indicate that the park will draw from a two hundred mile radius of Collins.  One major asset is its position in the “crosshair” of highways 84 and 49.  People from as far away as Natchez, Waynesboro, Jackson and the Mississippi Gulf Coast are expected to take advantage of the park’s easy access by frequenting the water park this summer.

Grand Paradise Water Park will be built in two phases and total seventeen acres upon completion.  Phase one is slated to open in early June and will consist of five major water slides, a children’s area, lazy river, food court, and gift shop.  

Park operators are poised to announce job openings in late March with Red Cross certified lifeguard training to begin shortly thereafter.  Grand Paradise will begin selling tickets in the month of April.

Those interested will soon be able to follow the building progress by logging on to www.grandparadisewaterpark.com.

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