As consumer preferences continue to shift toward immersive, experience-driven destinations, water-based attractions are emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments of the entertainment and hospitality industries. From surf parks and wave lagoons to destination aquatic resorts, developers are increasingly incorporating these attractions to create year-round destinations that drive visitation, extend guest stays, and enhance long-term project value.

The momentum behind this market continues to accelerate. As Forbes noted in a December 3, 2025 article, "Fueled by investor and consumer momentum, surf parks are quickly becoming one of real estate's most interesting growth trends." This growing demand is creating new opportunities for developers to differentiate their projects while delivering memorable experiences that attract visitors and generate lasting economic impact.

These projects require a sophisticated development approach—one that Bergman has been quietly supporting for the past five years.

At Bergman Construction and Bergman Development Services, we approach water entertainment developments with the mindset of a developer-builder. Rather than focusing solely on construction, we help clients navigate the entire development process—from early feasibility through project delivery—ensuring every decision supports the project's operational and financial goals.

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Thinking Beyond Construction

A well-planned facility requires more than a site plan and operational strategy. Success depends on effective preconstruction planning and disciplined project execution. Bergman has partnered with leading consultants and technology providers across the water park, large-basin, and surf park industries to support planning and implementation efforts.

Given the complexity of these projects, we have identified several critical planning considerations:

1. Site selection and master planning

2. Geotechnical investigations and understanding subsurface conditions

3. Infrastructure capacity

4. Permitting requirements

5. Design coordination

6. Technology integration

7. Operational planning and guest experience design

Each of these factors influences project success, but they are particularly important in water-themed entertainment developments, where preconstruction and construction costs can significantly affect the targeted return on investment.

For surf venues specifically, one of the first and most important decisions involves selecting the appropriate wave-generation technology. Key evaluation criteria include:

1. Safety

2. Guest experience

3. Financial viability and cost impacts

4. Wave quality and reliability

5. Basin edge design and functionality

Water-based developments require close coordination among architects, engineers, specialty vendors, regulatory agencies, and operators. Every discipline plays a critical role in creating a venue that performs efficiently from opening day through years of operation.

Our role is to help owners and developers avoid treating these developments like conventional construction projects. Instead, we view them as hospitality-driven destinations and long-term infrastructure assets.

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Supporting Every Stage of Development

Every project requires a different level of involvement, which is why Bergman provides flexible services tailored to each owner's and project's specific needs. With years of experience and multiple water-based projects under contract, our team is uniquely positioned to support successful execution.

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I. Pre-Planning

We assist owners, investors, and development teams in evaluating:

• Site suitability

• Infrastructure capacity

• Permitting risks

• Development budgets

• Project delivery strategies

• Technology considerations

Decisions made during the feasibility stage often determine whether a project remains financially viable throughout development.

II. Preconstruction and Development Services

As projects advance, we provide development support through:

• Selection and coordination of consultant teams

• Management of entitlement efforts

• Pro forma development support

• Utility coordination

• Procurement strategy development

• Design-stage cost management

• Schedule development and management

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III. Construction

Bergman provides complete project delivery, including site development, structural improvements, buildings and amenities, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, specialty systems coordination, commissioning, and project turnover.

Our construction services include:

• Bidding and sourcing specialized subcontractors

• Cost control through industry experience

• Reliable project scheduling

• Quality control and problem-solving specific to water-based facilities

• Commissioning and turnover support

By leveraging our proprietary lessons learned and QA/QC processes, we help owners successfully move from concept to opening day while managing risk, controlling costs, and protecting project quality.

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Custom Solutions Require Experience

No two water entertainment projects are alike. Every site presents its own combination of technical challenges, operational goals, environmental considerations, and guest experience expectations. Successfully delivering these destinations requires more than construction expertise—it demands a partner who understands how to evaluate opportunities, anticipate challenges, and develop practical solutions from concept through completion. Experience with complex, highly customized projects enables teams to make informed decisions that reduce risk, protect budgets and schedules, and create destinations built for long-term success. Our development team has successfully provided solutions for many of the common challenges, Surf Parks encounter.

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Soil Conditions and High-Water Tables

Our team has experience working with a wide variety of soil conditions. Water creates significant forces that interact with the surrounding ground, and not all soil types respond the same way. We have developed solutions and comparative cost analyses to help owners and developers make informed decisions based on their site's unique conditions.

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Addressing Water Demand Through Practical Solutions

Water consumption is often one of the first questions raised by communities, owners, and public agencies when evaluating a surf park development. While we are not aquatic engineers, our experience delivering complex water-based projects allows us to work alongside specialty consultants and project stakeholders to develop practical, data-driven solutions that address these concerns.

On one project, our team helped communicate the realities of a surf park's water demand by providing meaningful comparisons that stakeholders could easily understand. We demonstrated that the water required to replace evaporation, splash-out, and guest walk-off is significantly less than the irrigation demand of a typical 18-hole golf course and many other recreational land uses. By translating technical data into clear, relatable information, we helped project stakeholders better understand the long-term operational water requirements and support informed decision-making.

This collaborative approach exemplifies how experienced project teams can help owners navigate complex questions—not only by coordinating technical expertise, but by finding

practical ways to communicate solutions that build confidence among investors, agencies, and the communities they serve.

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Designing for Return on Investment

One of the most common misconceptions about budget management is that cost reductions must come at the expense of the guest experience. In reality, successful value engineering begins by identifying and protecting the investments that drive revenue generation.

Key factors influencing long-term financial success include:

• Location

• Technology and operational partnerships

• Guest spending optimization

• Operational efficiency

• Ancillary revenue opportunities

• Minimizing downtime

Ancillary Revenue

Industry leaders increasingly recognize that sustainable business models extend beyond ticket sales. Food and beverage operations, memberships, retail offerings, lessons, private events, sponsorships, and hospitality experiences can contribute significantly to a venue's financial performance.

Designing facilities that support these revenue streams is just as important as designing the attraction itself.

Maximizing the edge experience is also critical. Very few guests visit water-based entertainment venues alone. The offerings surrounding the primary attraction are often equally important. Creating the right mix of complementary experiences can generate multiple revenue streams while increasing guest satisfaction and length of stay.

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Optimization

Our approach prioritizes the elements that directly influence guest satisfaction, throughput, safety, and revenue generation while identifying opportunities to simplify non-revenue-producing areas.

We help optimize facility layouts, consolidate back-of-house functions, streamline utility routing, and maximize guest-facing space.

Lifecycle cost evaluations should be performed to balance operational expenses against construction costs. Lower upfront costs can quickly be offset by higher maintenance requirements, increased staffing, greater energy consumption, or equipment downtime. Evaluating lifecycle costs during the schematic design phase can significantly improve long-term profitability.

Strategic phasing can also improve project economics by allowing owners to open facilities sooner, establish market demand, generate revenue, and defer nonessential capital improvements to future expansion phases.

Ultimately, a disciplined budget should enhance—not compromise—the guest experience by focusing investments where they create the greatest value.

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Experience That Translates

Bergman's experience brings alignment to three critical elements:

• Guest experience

• Operational performance

• Financial discipline

While many client engagements remain confidential due to non-disclosure agreements, our work has included owner representation, development advisory services, preconstruction planning, consultant coordination, construction management, and full project delivery throughout the United States and internationally.

Our greatest value lies in orchestrating the many moving parts that determine project success—from feasibility studies and entitlement strategies to design integration, budgeting, procurement, construction execution, and operational readiness.

Throughout the planning, preconstruction, and construction process, we regularly collaborate with:

• Private investors

• Family offices

• Institutional capital partners

• Owner-operators

• Architects

• Engineers

• Public agencies

• Specialty equipment manufacturers

• Hospitality partners

• Food and beverage operators

This collaborative experience allows us to bridge technical expertise with practical execution, helping clients navigate complex projects with confidence.

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Building Destinations That Perform

Water entertainment projects represent a unique intersection of hospitality, recreation, engineering, and infrastructure. Their success depends on thoughtful planning, disciplined execution, and a clear understanding of both guest expectations and operational realities.

Bring a developer-builder perspective to your next project. Bergman helps owners make informed decisions from concept through completion—creating destinations that are not only memorable for guests, but also operationally efficient, financially sustainable, and built for long-term success.