Metro Council OKs $14M Opryland Tax Break For Guests-Only Water Park

NASHVILLE, TN — The Metro Council overwhelmingly approved an incentive package for Ryman Hospitality's planned water park at Opryland Hotel Tuesday. The Soundwaves water park, which will receive an estimated $14 million in tax breaks for the next 15 years, will not be open to the general public

The council voted 30-6 with four abstentions to approve the basket of tax breaks and refunds crafted by Mayor Megan Barry's administration. Under the plan, Opryland's property tax bill will remain the same until 2025 following this year's reappraisal; further, the $1 million annual hotel-motel tax rebate Opryland has received since the 2010 flood will remain in place until 2031.

In exchange, Ryman Hospitality will donate two parcels of land to provide better boat access to the Cumberland River. What the company won't do, however, is allow Nashville taxpayers to use its $90 million water park without paying for a hotel room. The park will be connected to the hotel proper, which no outside access and will only be open to guests.

While that restriction caused some consternation, it clearly wasn't enough to torpedo the project, which Ryman says will add nearly 700 jobs.

"Every time that we need something in the future for our districts — a reading instructor for children, a police man, a body camera or a stormwater drain — you will know where to find it. You will find it in an Opryland swimming pool," Councilman John Cooper, chairman of the council's powerful Budget and Finance Committee, said.

Joining Cooper in voting no were Mike Freeman, Sharon Hurt, Kathleen Murphy, Jim Shulman and Colby Sledge.