Cannon Beach surf resort McKinney took a huge leap forward this week when the City Council approved a zoning change for the Texas wave pool. Mesa, Arizona’s sister site powered by SwellMFG, will be located at the northeast corner of Stacy Road and State Highway 121.
The entire wave pool site will be designated as a planned development district with costs estimated at $200million. The surrounding area includes commercial, light industrial, and residential (single-family and multifamily) properties to the north.
According to news outlet Dallas News, the surf park project received $4 million (February 2025) from the McKinney Community Development Corporation for site preparation. The development may contribute to a transition toward a mixed-use area. A separate 20,000-seat amphitheater is planned nearby along State Highway 121, expected to open in 2027. The paper said that McKinney and nearby suburbs such as Frisco are experiencing rapid population growth.
The resort will include a three-acre SwellMFG surf lagoon, a lazy river, mineral hot springs, a hotel, and a variety of recreational and entertainment amenities. Plans call for a skate park, movie theater, bowling alley, health club, and indoor recreation spaces.
“We are proud to bring the intersection of lifestyle and adrenaline to McKinney,” said Cole Cannon, developer of the project. “In partnership with the City, we’re creating a place where families build indelible memories, visitors explore, and businesses thrive, all centered around a surf experience you won’t find anywhere else in the state.”
The project is a joint initiative between the City of McKinney, the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, and the McKinney Community Development Corporation. Development agreements were signed in May 2025 and include infrastructure support, tax reimbursements, and land acquisition. The first phase could open in mid-2027.
“This groundbreaking marks an important moment for our city’s future,” said Mayor Bill Cox. “The project brings new energy to McKinney, supporting growth that provides residents with more activities to enjoy while opening new avenues for local businesses to serve visitors and benefit from the increased activity this destination will attract.”
