Expanding a Nationally-Recognized Water Park Resort

Located just 90 minutes from New York City, the Poconos site in the fast-growing Great Wolf Resorts chain was due for a major expansion. The Scotrun, PA location, which opened in 2005, is nearing completion of a multi-year, $125 million renovation and expansion with new slides, indoor pools, and water play areas, as well as new guest villas and family-friendly visitor suites. The grand total of rooms at Great Wolf Lodge Pocono Mountains will reach well over 600, which will make it the second largest of 20 resorts in the Great Wolf Lodge portfolio.

A vital back-of-house component of these enhanced amenities is providing for additional on-site staff (anticipated to exceed 1000 employees). The Lodge proposed constructing a 9,500-square-foot, three-story, 53-room, 204-bed employee housing building on the resort’s existing property. In addition to its strong commitment to providing local job opportunities, Great Wolf Resorts also trains foreign exchange students and circulates rising staff among various properties to gain valuable work experience. The new housing building gives the Lodge the flexibility to meet these various needs. UTRS Civil Engineering played a key role in preparing and developing this construction.

In October, 2024, Good Housekeeping placed Great Wolf Lodge on its list of 10 of America’s Best Water Parks, citing Great Wolf Lodge Poconos in particular and noting: “Contrary to most others on the list, these parks stay open year-round for aquatic adventure no matter the weather… guests can enjoy wave pools, slides and lazy rivers all day long, then retire to their resort-style accommodations without ever leaving the property.”