Work in Grand Prairie, Texas, has started on a US$75m (€60.8m, £47.9m) mixed-use project, anchored by an indoor/outdoor waterpark, which the city is hoping will help it become an entertainment destination.

The waterpark development will include a retractable roof for year-round use and 14,000sq m (150,000sq ft) of outdoor space. The attraction will feature multiple slides, a lazy river, kids zone and rental cabanas.

Also included in the development, to be known as ‘The Epic’, will be a leisure centre, amphitheatre, trail system and playground. Future phases of the project will see the addition of new slides to the waterpark and new rides to the development, which will act as an anchor to Grand Prairie's Central Park. The city is also marketing for six retail and restaurant sites on the 76,000sq m (827,000sq ft) plot of land adjacent to the development.

Dallas-based HKS has been appointed as designer for the project, while Lee Lewis Construction will operate as general contractor. Dallas-based Ramaker has been named as waterpark consultant on the development.

The Epic is being funded through local taxes after the plans were approved by a vote in May. Construction on the development will start in Q3 of 2015, with an expected opening date of April 2017.