The development team for Kalahari Resorts, a company that builds indoor water parks and resorts, recently met with the Tobyhanna Township Planning Commission to present preliminary land development plans for the proposed Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center-Poconos.

If approved, the $350 million, 150-acre complex in Monroe County at Pocono Manor, would open in late 2014 or early 2015.

The presentation is one of many steps in the approval process. Other steps include review by a special committee comprised of commission members and public comment period during which the public can offer their input on the proposed development.

The project would be completed in three phases. The first phase includes a resort with 450 luxury guest rooms and suites, a 100,0000-square-foot indoor water park, a two-acre outdoor water park, a 65,000-square-foot convention center, a 30,000-square-foot indoor theme park/arcade and 6,000 square feet of retail space including two full-service restaurants. Currently, Kalahari Resorts operates resorts in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and Sandusky, Ohio.

The resort is expected to create over 1,500 new jobs once completed and boost the $2.1 billion tourism industry of the Poconos Mountains. An economic impact study prepared by Hotel and Leisure Advisors estimates that the project would add about 1,200 construction jobs and another 700 full- and part-time jobs during its first year of operation. Visitors to the resort are also expected to contribute over $18 million annually to the local economy.

Staff reporter Katherine Schneider contributed to this report.