Work to start on Bicester resort this year

US-based Great Wolf Resorts is poised to name its main contractor to build the company’s first European resort at Chesterton, near Bicester.

Work is expected to start on the 46-acre site by the end of this year. The scheme will feature a 500-room hotel, indoor water park with a variety of slides and pools, and an adventure park, alongside numerous dining areas.

The client has said it wants the project team to prioritise support for local suppliers wherever possible, as well as focussing on apprenticeships and developing skills in the local community.

The development could bring up to £200M of investment to the local area, as well as creating 1,000 construction jobs and around 600 jobs to operate the completed resort.

Great Wolf Resorts currently operates 18 water parks across the USA and Canada.