The Poarch Band of Creek Indians recently announced a 0 million tourist destination named Owa is under construction on 520 acres in Foley, Alabama. Phase one of the project, described as a hybrid of Six Flags and Disney World, will open in summer 2017 with a 14-acre lake, a 150-room Marriott Town Place Suites Hotel, an amusement park, 44,000 square feet of retail space and dining options. The complex will have the feel of a small Southern town, with a distinctive Warehouse District, Downtown district and Amusement Park.
Phase two will include additional hotels, a waterpark, a condominium complex and a resort RV park.
The development is adjacent to Foley’s $40 million sports tourism complex, featuring 16 state-of-the-art outdoor fields and a 90,000 square foot indoor events center, also set to open next summer.
Owa will create 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and attract an additional 1 million visitors to South Baldwin County annually. It’s projected to boost tourist spending in South Alabama by 7 percent, increasing Baldwin County’s economic output by $250 million.
Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority President Tim Martin said, “For every visitor, Owa will provide a top-notch experience. It is an added benefit that families who come to Foley for sporting events will also have all of Owa’s offerings available to them.”
Foley Mayor John Koniar added, “We are happy to offer visitors to our area a one stop, family friendly destination that is near the beach but will provide another option, for not only overnight visitors, but those looking for a day trip.”
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians, the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama, operates Wind Creek casinos in Atmore, Montgomery and Wetumpka.
