Do you love surfing but don’t get to the coast very often? Well, I have some great news for you! Due to a new development coming soon, you may very well get to surf while staying closer to home.
You will be surfing in Northwest Arkansas soon because three years ago, the Walton Foundation announced that they’re building a whitewater facility next to Siloam Springs on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. After the long wait, it will open this summer.
Surfers, stick around as I’ll give you all the details you might need to take advantage of this great new facility.
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Surfing NWA
Three years ago, the Walton Foundation announced they would build a whitewater facility next to Siloam Springs on the border of Oklahoma and Arkansas. After three years of waiting, it will open this summer, and it will include the following attractions:
- Surfing
- Whitewater rafting
- Kayaking
- Tubing
All of this is being built on the Illinois River.
Siloam Springs has a whitewater rafting facility, but this will be on a grander scale, and since they call it a “world-class” facility, I believe it. The Walton Foundation does things well, including our trails, so you can expect this to be on par with everything else they do.
They’re adding onto the Illinois River and building a whitewater rafting testing area where people can practice surfing and rafting. It’s going to cost around $33 million and is going to drive more businesses and tourism into the area.
NWA Working to Become the Outdoor Capital of the World
Why is this such a big deal for Northwest Arkansas? Bentonville, and, really, all of Northwest Arkansas, is the Mountain Biking capital of the world. But during the last few years, NWA has started adding more outdoor activities as a way to become the Outdoor Capital of the world.
We already have mountain biking, trails for running and hiking, and rock climbing. Once the whitewater facility opens, water sports will be added to the outdoor itinerary. So, in the next decade, Northwest Arkansas will take the crown for all things outdoor.
Tourists will flock to the area for all outdoor activities, which makes this facility a big thing for Northwest Arkansas.
Shake Hands With Tulsa
One of the reasons why this new development is such a big deal for Northwest Arkansas is that this reinforces the idea that Arkansas shakes hands with Tulsa. What does that mean?
There’s been a lot of talk about growth in Missouri, but even more than that, between Northwest Arkansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Several investment firms and startups go between the areas, and I’ve been privileged to be part of several of those meetings. So I’m seeing a lot of those connections happening.
Several more connections are happening between Tulsa and Northwest Arkansas than anywhere else. Growth, if it’s going to happen, will start in Tulsa, move to NWA, and then up towards Missouri.
So, the new Whitewater facility is a big thing because we’re reaching across borders to collaborate on growth and tourism.
412 Expressway
The next reason this is such a big deal for Northwest Arkansas is the major growth of the 412 Expressway. What do I mean by that?
The 412 Expressway merges with the Oklahoma Turnpike, so it’s a major highway between Tulsa and NWA. That entire strip between Tulsa and NWA will be a major hub, complete with an industrial section. Over $200 million has been allocated to developing this section, drawing in investment firms, infrastructure, and warehousing.
When you combine the financial forces of several Tulsa businesses with NWA businesses like Tyson and Walmart, you will have a major growth period.
And why is this going to happen? Because of the new surfing area in Oklahoma near Siloam Springs. With the increased tourism in that area, it will be prime real estate for restaurants, hotels, industrial parks, and other types of business.
NWA’s Growth Is Going West
Why is the new surfing facility such a big deal? If you’re looking for the next big area that will explode, start looking to the west. Because Northwest Arkansas is shaking hands with Tulsa, as I mentioned in the second point, several residents of the smaller towns in that section will benefit from the new surfing facility.
And, of course, there’s a new highway in that area that’s being planned, which will make it easier to access Northwest Arkansas from Tulsa and points west.
If you’re thinking of investing in Northwest Arkansas and want to be in on the next growth phase, the best place to be is in the western part of NWA. It’s on the outskirts of the area, and it will no doubt grow by leaps and bounds.
So let me know if you want to start looking in that area for your next investment project.
Tourism Will Increase
The last reason that the new surfing facility is a big deal for Northwest Arkansas is that it will draw more tourists to the area. This, of course, affects Oklahoma too, but the entire area will definitely benefit from this facility.
For example, in that small corridor of Arkansas, the biking industry alone produced $1 billion from new jobs, HQs moving here, manufacturing industries, and trail building. That’s not including the many bikers who come here to use our trails.
Imagine if you were to stack whitewater rafting and surfing on top of that revenue, as well as rock climbing, hiking, and camping, and you have an incredible amount of revenue per year.
This will be another big factor regarding tourism, as people from all across the US and perhaps the world will want to come here for vacations. And when the tourists see what a great area this is, more people will want to move here.
Conclusion
Surfing enthusiasts are gearing up for the best recreational benefit yet–the new Whitewater facility being built in Oklahoma near Siloam Springs. This news is huge, and it will benefit Northwest Arkansas more than many other things have in the past.
Northwest Arkansas is a great place to work, play, and raise a family. I’ve been here for three years, and I love it here. If you want to move here, or you just want to visit, let me know, and I’ll give you the $10 tour.
