Kalahari Resort in Sandusky today hosted local and state officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of its newly expanded convention center.

The culmination of a $22 million, 10 month renovation, this 120,000-square-foot addition more than doubles the size of the previous convention center, bringing the total square footage to 215,000 and making the Kalahari Resort – Sandusky the only under-one-roof complex in the Midwest to offer a convention center and hotel of such scope.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo) joined other politicians and Kalahari executives in offering remarks on how the expansion has and will provide economic stimulus to the community, and provide perspective on the new space.

(NOTE - To see more pictures of the event, click HERE.)

As the second-largest employer in the area, the expansion will add more than 140 full-time jobs to Kalahari’s 1,200 member employee base. It is also expected to generate additional taxable revenue within the resort equal to the amount of approximately $150 million over the first 20 years.

Kalahari’s newest space accommodates 5,200 conference attendees as compared to 2,200 at the original convention center, which opened in 2006 and helped fill a void of hotel and meetings space in the region. The resort’s distinctive African theme is carried throughout the convention center, and guests will find authentic African art and artifacts alongside state-of-the-art meetings technology.

Conference attendees will find the latest audio visual technology available, including interactive whiteboards, video conferencing options, high-end acoustical sound systems, HD-quality projectors and formatted screens, advanced lighting control systems and digital signage. Meeting planners will also appreciate smart design elements, such as electronically lockable built-in bars and registration areas, as well as added warming kitchens in key areas to enhance food and beverage service options.

The new addition includes a 38,000-square-foot grand ballroom/expo center, a 12,000-square-foot junior ballroom, 14 meeting rooms and 30,000 square feet of pre-function space.

As a family owned and operated business, the authentically African-themed resorts and convention centers in Sandusky and Wisconsin Dells, Wis. are home to America’s Largest Indoor Waterparks and award-winning outdoor and indoor attractions.

Both resorts boast more than 700 guest rooms, full-service spas, unique retail shops and a wide variety of dining options. In addition, Kalahari’s Sandusky location is home to one of the largest game arcades in the Midwest.

Here are some facts and figures about the expansion as well as Kalahari in general:

Function Space:
215,000 square feet of flexible meeting space that includes:
• 39 function rooms and 30,000 square feet of pre-function space
• 38,000-square-foot ballroom divisible by six
• 17,200-square-foot ballroom divisible by eight
• Four junior ballrooms – 11,823 (divisible by three), 6,985 (divisible by five) and two 3,400 square feet
• Four unique, African-themed octagon shaped huts for social events and meetings
• Facility can accommodate up to 615 8x10 booths
• Eight loading bays can be accessed at the same time, two are enclosed drive-in docks that are able to allow pass through of vehicles and equipment as large as 20 feet wide by 24 feet high. One 30-by-60 foot indoor wash bay is also included.
• Four truck level docks
• Two ground level docks

Ballroom/Event Space:
38,000-square-foot ballroom divisible by six
• Banquet seating for up to 2,620
• Reception for up to 3,800
• Theater Seating for up to 4,244
• Accommodates 232 8x10 booths
17,200-square-foot ballroom divisible by eight
• Banquet seating for up to 1,184
• Reception for up to 1,720
• Theater Seating for up to 1,900
• Accommodates 108 8x10 booths
11,823-square-foot junior ballroom divisible by three
• Banquet seating for up to 812
• Reception for up to 1,182
• Theater seating for up to 1,312
3,400-square-foot junior ballroom (two available)
• Banquet seating for up to 200
• Reception for up to 340
• Theater seating for up to 375 each

Technology Features:
• MeetingMatrix, an online planning tool to virtually plan and model meetings
• High speed wired and wireless networks
• Complimentary wireless internet access throughout resort
• Built-in digitized sound system
• In-house IT and AV technicians
• State-of-the-art high definition projectors
• Many rooms with built in projection screens
• Flexible lighting, staging and sound options
• Fully scalable wireless and hard line data and fiber network

Additional Convention Center Amenities:
• Full-service business center
• Creative catering menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Professional on-site event planners and themed breaks and meals

Guest Rooms and Suites:
Kalahari Resort features 890 guest rooms and 1-5 bedroom suites.
All rooms and suites feature:
• Voicemail phones and complimentary wireless high speed internet access
• Flat screen television, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and safe
• Hair dryer, iron and ironing board
• Table with chairs and all-day room service availability
• Complimentary morning newspaper and waterpark wristbands for registered hotel guests that are good for day of arrival until 3 p.m. on day of departure
• Fireplace, patio and sofa sleeper options
• All suites include:
• Fireplace, living and dining area, up to four televisions
• One to five bedroom options
• Entertainment, hospitality, kitchen and whirlpool options

Additional Resort Features and Amenities:
• Full service spa
• 173,000-square-foot indoor waterpark (America’s largest)
• 77,000-square-foot outdoor waterpark with concessions
• 115,000-square-foot Safari Outdoor Animal Adventures park
• 12,000-square-foot game arcade and activity area
• On-site dining, shopping and entertainment options
• Well-equipped fitness center

Little Known Facts
• From dry desert, to vacation oasis. The African Kalahari region’s name is derived from the Tswana word Kalagare, meaning "a waterless place." Ironically, the pools of Kalahari Resort’s indoor park alone hold more than 1.3 million gallons of water.

• Fields of fun. Kalahari Indoor Waterpark is America’s largest at 173,000 square feet which is three times the size of the Cleveland Browns’ field.

• An art tour within the resort. The Nelson family scours the markets of Africa every couple of years to choose unique art, indigenous carvings, exotic masks, artistic glass pieces and handcrafted furnishings. There are more than 500 pieces throughout the resort including a one-of-a-kind chandelier in the convention center made of ostrich eggs.

• Mamma Mia. Kalahari Resort uses 1,040 cases of tomato sauce, 104,000 pounds of cheese, and 78,000 pounds of flour per year to make its signature “Pizza Pub” pizzas. That’s enough flour to fill Kalahari’s entire Shooting Star Basketball Pool in the indoor waterpark.

• Party on. The soon-to-be completed 215,000-square-foot convention center expansion in Sandusky, Ohio would easily fit more than three NFL football fields.

• Laundry duty calls. Since the Kalahari Resort – Sandusky opened more than 300,000 loads of laundry have been washed. Compared to the average family of four’s 1,300 loads of laundry in a five year span, it would take more than 200 busy moms to wash Kalahari’s dirty laundry. An AquaRecycle system allows Kalahari Resort to recycle and reuse 70 percent of its laundry water.

• The need for speed. The Tanzanian Twister, a giant flume ride, swirls guests at speeds up to 40 mph. That’s as fast as a zebra can run!

• Fun in the sun, all year round. The lowest temperature ever recorded during an Ohio winter was a frigid -39 degrees! Not only is it always a tropical 86 degrees at Kalahari Resort but with the waterpark’s Texlon transparent roof visitors can stay warm and actually work on their tan even in the winter cold!

• Eat your veggies. There are 100,000 carrots fed to the animals at Safari Outdoor Adventure Park each year. That’s enough for us to give 10 carrots to every visitor at Kalahari Resort!

• Welcome one and all. More than 5 million people have stayed with Kalahari Resort since it opened in 2005. That’s 500,000 more than the entire population of Ohio.