WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. -- The country's first-ever Crystal Lagoon has officially opened in the Bay area.
- Country's first-ever Crystal Lagoon opens
- Located in the Epperson housing development in Wesley Chapel
- Lagoon offers kayaking, slides and a beach
The lagoon is more than seven acres and is the centerpiece of the Epperson housing development in Wesley Chapel. Residents got to use the new lagoon on Sunday.
"It’s been very calming, relaxing, it’s been a long day coming,” resident Peter Ortiz said.
The lagoon was originally set to open in May, but permit issues caused a delay.
The developer says the lagoon has already been a major selling point for people looking to move to Pasco County. Three hundred homes are already occupied and hundreds more are on the way.
The lagoon offers things like kayaking, slides, a swim up bar and even a beach.
“The most unique thing we have is the beach right here, in west central Florida., Metro Lagoons managing director Eric Walhbeck said. "Hour and half away from the real beach but we’ve brought our own beach here in Pasco County.”
The lagoon is about the size of five football fields and holds 16 million gallons of water.
Metro Lagoons is also working on a second Wesley Chapel development and is building a lagoon in south Hillsborough County.