Aug 28: Expanded aquatic playground coming to Carowinds

We are about to get the largest water park in the Carolinas. Ever.

Carowinds announced yesterday that its Carolina Harbor Waterpark will be opening in spring 2016. This fancy, newly expanded “aquatic playground” will be accessible via park admission. A press release indicates that guests can expect “moments of tranquility and refreshing thrills by the shores.'”

The water park, part of Carowinds’ more than $50 million multi-year expansion project, is set to bring in attractions like Blackbeard’s Revenge water slide, Seaside Splashworks spray ground and additional plush cabanas.

Then there’s this thing called Pirate’s Plank, which “will send guests plummeting down a nearly vertical free fall where the floor drops out from underneath,” according to the release. What.

BUILDING BIGGER: Over in the land of Ballantyne, Bissell is planning its largest speculative building. The 10-story building will tower over North Community House Road at the 12th hole of Ballantyne’s golf course. No tenants are signed up yet, but construction could start as quickly as next week and conclude in November 2016. The Brigham building will be named for physician Craig Brigham, who treated Bissell chairman Smoky Bissell.

 SEWAGE SPILLS: Charlotte Water announced that its sewage spills hit a 30-year low in the past 12 months. This downward trend started in 2007. What that looks like: Charlotte Water’s annual report indicated that 200,000 gallons of sewage were released in 177 spills between July 2014 and the end of June.

RAZING TOWN HALL: Davidson Town Board commissioners endorsed a plan to raze Davidson Town Hall. What will be put in its place? Initial proposals hinted at a blend of retail, office and residential space, but the latest news is that the 250,000-square-foot complex will include a hotel and conference center. Oh yeah, and there would still be 25,000 square feet of space for the town administration, fire and police departments.

KERRICK AFTERMATH: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney announced plans to change his department’s training to ensure that police learn the same policies and how to apply them the same. His plans come in response to the mistrial of the Kerrick case, which involved CMPD officers responding differently to a 911 call, leading to the shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell.

This story was originally published August 27, 2015 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Aug 28: Expanded aquatic playground coming to Carowinds."