WASHOUT
The £21.4million waterpark in Europe with huge slides and indoor pools – finally to open after 16 years of construction
And two other waterparks hoping to open in the UK
A HUGE waterpark in Portugal is yet to open - despite construction starting more than 16 years ago.
Parque Aquático do Almargem, in Portugal, was first announced back in 2008.
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Around €26million (£21.4million) was invested in the huge project and had hoped to open by 2015.
According to the website, there will be a huge indoor swimming pool - uncommon in the Iberian Pensinsular - with a wave pool and lazy river.
There would also be slides, along with a kids pool.
Other activities would include an aquarium, playground, spa and an outdoor pool, along with bowling alleys and a disco.
Read more on waterparks
Food facilities such as a restaurant would also be part of the resort.
However, due to a number of financial difficulties, the park is yet to open.
And authorities have given the owners until the end of this year to decide whether to open the park - or it will be demolished.
Local media said last year: "It is the goal of the municipality that the process be completed, and it is the purpose of the infrastructure that it be available for use by the area.
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"The mayor came to the conclusion that in the event that the work was not completed, the owner would be required to start dismantling it."
However, owner of the property Manuel Cruz said the park is ";not abandoned".
The botanical waterpark with huge new ‘Oasis Garden’ land - with lagoon, swim-up pool bar and four slides
He : "It is not true that the Aquatic Park of Almargem is abandoned.
"It is, indeed, in a delicate situation due to a series of problems.
"But every effort is being made to ensure that the problem is resolved as quickly as possible within the existing constraints."
"We are in good negotiations with Turismo de Portugal and we believe that within this quarter we will be able to implement all the conditions that allow us to validate an operations date so that we can have a start and end date."
His latest comments hoped to have "everything solved by 2024".
In the mean time, a huge new indoor water attraction is set to open by next year.
The £250million Therme, in Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 35 water slides and an indoor beach along with swim up bars and spas.
Also inside the 28-acre resort will be a "Garden of Wellness," as well as an outdoor area.
Chessington World of Adventures has revealed plans to open its own waterpark too.
Set to 'rival Disneyland' it would have a wave pool, infinity pool, slides and beach.
If you can't wait, we've rounded up the biggest waterparks in the UK you can visit.
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Or anyone heading to Disney World next year can get free entry to it's waterparks - here's how.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK next year
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the "surfing wellness resort" in the UK.
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