Zehnder's Splash Village & Waterpark to Double in Family Fun

FRANKENMUTH, MI--(Marketwired - Jun 4, 2013) -  Just eight years ago Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark opened with 30,000 square feet of aquatic adventures for the entire family. Following a new $20 million expansion project Splash Village will double in size to make it one of Michigan's largest waterparks to welcome guests in the summer of 2014.

"We are very excited about this project. This is a significant step in Zehnder's over-arching goal of becoming a four-season, family vacation destination. Our current waterpark is a great facility for families with young children. Our new park, when completed, will appeal to excitement levels of all ages," said Zehnder's Chairman and CEO Al Zehnder. The project will break ground in September.

Splash Village Expansion Highlights
The expansion will make Splash Village one of the few facilities in the nation, and the only one in Michigan, with two distinctive indoor waterpark attractions. Splash Village will also be the largest waterpark in the Midwest with a retractable roof. Additional family fun-friendly features include:

• 29,000 sq. ft. of additional waterpark space all under an atrium style structure with a retractable roof
• Four person, four-story family raft ride
• Action river
• Super Loop, a four story thrilling speed slide
• Zero entry activity pool featuring water geysers, water basketball, water volley ball, floats and various family water activities
• Private cabanas
• Large family hot tub
• Large outdoor pool area
• 32 additional guest rooms -- sixteen of which will have a floor to ceiling window with panoramic waterpark views, for a total of 188 guestrooms and deluxe suites
• Increased locker rooms
• Expanded arcade area
• Increased concession services

Financing Package
The Zehnder's team worked closely with FirstMerit Bank, which recently acquired Citizens Republic Bank with whom Zehnder's has had a long-standing relationship. The $16 million finance package provided by FirstMerit includes the participation of the Michigan Economic Development Commission, the Michigan Certified Development Corporation and the Small Business Administration.

"FirstMerit Bank is excited to work with the Zehnder team on this exciting expansion project," said David Lochner, president, FirstMerit Michigan. "We have a long history of commitment to our communities and when you think of the Frankenmuth community, you think of Zehnder's. Their expanded water park and hotel will mean even more fun for families throughout Michigan and beyond."

Financing the Splash Village expansion project also brings together with Zehnder's a $5 million loan enhancement through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Loan Participation Program; $500,000 infrastructure grant through the MEDC Community Development Block Grant; Frankenmuth Downtown Development Authority's (DDA) Tax Increment Finance (TIF) will pay for the balance of the project, nearly $863,000, through future tax revenues generated by the Splash Village project; Saginaw Future; the City of Frankenmuth, on behalf of the DDA, will sell bonds with payments derived from the TIF fund. The project team has been working together for more than two years.

FirstMerit Corporation is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with assets of approximately $24.5 billion as of close of business April 12, 2013, and 415 banking offices and 452 ATM locations in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania. FirstMerit provides a complete range of banking and other financial services to consumers and businesses through its core operations. Principal affiliates include: FirstMerit Bank, N.A., FirstMerit Mortgage Corporation, FirstMerit Title Agency, Ltd., and FirstMerit Community Development Corporation.

Frankenmuth is considered one of Michigan's top tourism destinations with its Bavarian theme and deep-rooted German heritage that is reflected in Main Street shops and restaurants. For information on Zehnder's Restaurant, Z's Bakery, Zehnder's Splash Village Hotel & Waterpark, and The Fortress golf course, call 800-863-7999, or go to www.zehnders.com. Zehnder's Restaurant/Bakery/Retail, and the 18-hole Fortress golf course.