Texas'>Typhoon Texas – an under-development US$45m (€41.2m, £31.1m) waterpark in Katy, Texas – is preparing to make a big splash as it readies itself for its public opening this weekend.

Opening on 30 May – Memorial Day in the US – the 25-acre (10 hectare) waterpark is situated close by to Katy Mills mall, which is acting as an anchor for a number of mixed-use projects including a convention centre, hotel, retail, offices and homes.

Designed and supplied by whitewater west and Brannon Corp, Typhoon Texas is one of the largest privately built waterparks to open in the US over the last decade.

The waterpark will offer a range of rides and attractions, including WhiteWater’s Texas Twister. Also making its North American debut will be Whitewater’s Fusion AquaSphere + Constrictor waterslide, which is equipped with six-person rafts to act as a family slide. Additionally, the park – which follows a Texan theme – features five slide towers with 1.3 miles (2km) of slides, a 25,000sq ft (2,300sq m) wave pool, lazy river and a dedicated kid’s area.

Houston-based construction firm KDW handled development of the waterpark, while Dallas-based Texas Capital Bank funded the multi-million dollar venture. Project leaders have called the attraction the “most exciting recreational and entertainment venue” to be built in the region in the last 50 years.