On the banks of the Susquehanna River, the town of Perryville has a veterans hospital and a casino, and it attracts historians to learn more about the town’s role in the American Revolution and Civil War However, for the most part, when you think of this Cecil County community, you don’t think of family fun
Perryville’s reputation as a sleepy resort could change in August when Chicago hotel developer Great Wolf Lodge opened its 20th — and largest — location
The $250 million project is expected to attract more than half a million visitors a year to the 48 acres
It’s more than a three-hour drive from Baltimore to the chain’s closest locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia
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“This will be our largest lodge and our largest offering,” said Nadine Miracle, executive director of Great Wolf Lodge Maryland
“It’s easy, close and worry-free and the perfect stay,” said Miracle
And although a main attraction of the water park is used for children from 2 to 12 years old, “there is something for everyone,” he added
Tashica “Talko” Morgan, her husband, Al-Wayne, and their children, made the three-hour trek from their home in Odenton to the Great Wolf Lodge in Williamsburg, Va or the Poconos at least once a year for the past ten years
As a family of six now, Morgan said she’s looking forward to making new memories in Perryville and since it’s less than an hour from her home, she said she hopes to more regular and random visits
With Wolf Lodge nearby, it will be a regular activity
A water park preview at the country’s largest Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville is set to open in August
When the Morgan family visits Perryville, they will find a 128,000 square foot indoor water park, 57,000 square feet of family entertainment called Great Wolf Adventure Park, bowling, an arcade and high ropes course
As the largest resort in the chain, Great Wolf Lodge Maryland will offer 700 family-friendly suites starting at $199 for a standard stay that sleeps four to six, including queen beds two, and a place to sit a full sleeper sofa
The Lodge’s Wolf Den Suite, which also sleeps four to six, will cost $299 a night and includes a queen bed, a den bedroom and living room with a sleeper sofa a lot
The Kid Cabin Suite, which sleeps six or seven costs $269 and offers a log cabin-style bedroom with three twin beds, a queen bed and a full sleeper sofa
Guests will find a king bed in the master bedroom, two queen beds in the second bedroom and a large sleeper sofa in the main area
Miracle said the overnight stay includes two days of water adventures in the parks – with access starting after 1 pm on the day of check-in and cannot stay until the park closes on the day of check-in
Events and activities include Yoga Tails, a morning exercise program, and Story Time, where children gather around the fire for a bedtime story
This week, Drew Frank, his wife and two children are traveling from their Pasadena home to the Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos
This was the family’s first trip to a Great Wolf Lodge
We are looking forward to this trip and the new park close to home
Planning for Great Wolf Maryland has been underway since 2018
In 2019 and renewed in 2021, the city of Perryville hired Sage Policy Group, Inc, to conduct an economic and financial analysis of the $250 million project
According to the study, the construction of the site was expected to create more than 2,600 jobs in Cecil County and another 74 jobs in the state
Those jobs are associated with more than $132 million in labor income and more than $350 million in economic activity
Once completed, the hotel is expected to support approximately 770 full-time and part-time jobs at the resort itself and nearly 1,100 jobs in total when factoring in visitor revenue and other factors economy
Full-time jobs account for more than $33 million in worker income
The site’s operations will directly and indirectly provide more than $100 million in annual economic impact
Local and state officials provided tax credits, grants and rebates for the project
The site is eligible for additional incentives through the Maryland Department of Commerce’s development zone program
“We are very excited to welcome Great Wolf Lodge’s largest water park and hotel to Maryland,” said Assistant Secretary of State Tom Riford
“Not only will this be a huge draw for visitors to the East Coast and beyond, but it will also be an economic boost with hundreds of new jobs and a lot of impact” good for Cecil County and the region”
Miracle said that the progress of the construction and the interest from the people who are looking forward to visit it exceeds his expectations
“I’ve heard that Great Wolf is putting Cecil County on the map,” he said
Cathi Miklus, who lives in Middletown, Del, said she was looking forward to making the 45-minute trip to Great Wolf Maryland as part of a “young adult “
“I think Cecil County could use a boost in its economy, and frankly, its reputation,” Miklus said
Great Wolf Maryland is currently hiring for several “installer” positions, expecting to hire as many as 850
Beyond the launch date, Wolf Lodge Maryland officials said that the light sales are offered for reduced room rates throughout the year
With six months left before opening, Miracle said he is struggling between preparing the hotel for opening, helping to hire staff, and participating in schools and organizations, all of which he said that it is very important to build good relationships and see the work well
“We have high hopes and are eager to bring the Lodge to Maryland,” he said, “but the true test of our success and the greatest compliment we can receive is the return of the people” from time to time “
A general view of the Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, which will open in August with 700 rooms on 48 acres
Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge
Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge
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