LACASSINE — From the interstate, the site looks abandoned and overgrown, but children could soon be making waves there with the opening of the multimillion-dollar Little Kahuna Water Park in rural Jeff Davis Parish.

After four years of permit and weather delays, the project is 95 percent complete, with a “soft opening” expected this summer at the 98-acre site just off the North Frontage Road west of Lacassine, according to developer David Lejeune.

“We’ve dealt with a lot of changes because we were the first (water park) to be regulated,” he said. “We are the victim, but we have done everything we have been asked to change.”

Crews will soon begin working on the irrigation system around the big pool area and repainting the slide tower. Landscaping — palm trees, rose bushes and other plants — also has to be finished. Recent rains are slowing progress, Lejeune said.

“Every day of rain sets the park back six days,” he said. “That’s frustrating for us, especially when we are at the ending stage. We will open as soon as we are ready. Our target is this summer.

“Even if we only open two weeks or two months this year, that will give us time to work the kinks out. I’d rather have a soft opening with only a few customers than be unhappy because we waited too long.”

Plans for the park call for six water slides, including a four-lane race, along with a 920-foot-long lazy river with a lagoon and a 9,500-square-foot pirate- and sea-creature-themed kiddie area. A 1,200-square-foot pool with island will be provided for adults.

A wave pool with beach area and a tube slide are expected to be added next season, he said.

Other amenities include 61 toilets, 18 showers, eight drinking fountains, cabanas for birthday parties and a kitchen area. A nine-acre parking site will have ticket booth entrances on the east side.

An on-site well will supply 108 gallons of water per minute, enough to keep the park going, Lejeune said.

Future plans include an RV park, campground and roller coaster. The campground could be built within a year, but the roller coaster is likely to take three or four years, he said.

Lacassine was chosen as the site for the park because land was available and it was a great location, Lejeune said.

The park will have a positive economic impact on the area, he said.

“We expect the park to bring in half a million dollars directly in taxes and another $250,000 indirectly,” Lejeune said. “Economically, it could have an annual impact of $750,000.”

Official occupancy for the park has been changed from 2,800 to 5,218, Lejeune said.

He estimates that 2,400 people could visit the park daily. A previous study by McNeese State University estimated the park would draw 4,000 visitors daily from an area bounded by Lafayette, Beaumont, Texas, and Alexandria.

The water park is expected to staff eight full-time employees with nearly 50 seasonal jobs. Admission will be charged, but rates have not been set yet.

Work continues on the pirate-themed kiddie area at Little Kahuna Water Park in Lacassine. The multimillion dollar project is 95 percent complete and a “soft opening” is expected later this summer. (Doris Maricle / American Press)

Work continues on the lazy river area of the Little Kahuna Water Park in Lacassine. The multimillion dollar project is 95 percent complete and a “soft opening” is expected later this summer. (Doris Maricle / American Press)