Rodney Steven II names hotel flag for new Goddard aquatic complex

The hotel that’s going to be part of Rodney Steven II’s new Goddard aquatic center now has a name.

The Goddard Hampton Inn will have 133 rooms, including six suites.

“We’ve just been really impressed with their product over the last few years,” Steven says.

The hotel likely will open in late summer or early fall.

“We need it to open soon because baseball is opening in February,” Steven says.

There are a number of components to the $50 million development, which is at 19800 W. Kellogg.

That includes an 82,000-square-foot natatorium for regional competitions. It will have a 25-meter, 10-lane pool, a warm-up pool that’s 25 yards and has four lanes, a hot tub and 600 seats for spectators.

Some have wondered about the size of the competition pool — why 25 meters instead of 50? — but Steven says the size won’t affect what kind of competitions the aquatic center can attract.

“It’s very seldom when you’re going to . . . have a competition in a 50-meter pool.”

There’s also the Genesis Sports Complex, which will have baseball and softball and will be one of largest complexes in the area that’s all turf.

There will be a new Genesis Health Clubs site, also with a pool and child care facility.

A preschool will be located at the development as well.

Part of the $50 million includes $23 million in sales tax and revenue bonds, which will pay for the natatorium, baseball fields and part of the development’s infrastructure, such as roads.

“The hotel is built stand alone,” Steven says.

However, there will be a couple of entry points from the hotel to the pool, park, Genesis, a video arcade and candy store.

Steven says everything is connected “very similar to a Great Wolf Lodge.”

“There’s a lot going on in this building,”

The hotel particularly will cater to visiting teams with a spacious two-story living room for them to gather in and register for tournaments.

There also will be a meeting room and business center.

Next up, look for branding news on the new indoor water park within a month or so.

This story was originally published December 18, 2019 at 5:03 AM.