PW June 07 P7.qxd 5/21/07 11:01 am Page 7
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Skiing in Texas!
Bearfire Resort planned for Forth Worth
Jacobson Group of Management Solutions (MSI) are to oversee
financing.
If it’s hot outside, then it seems developers can’t wait to build a ski Bearfire Resort’s year-round winter theme will be made possible due
slope inside. Dubai already has one, Las Vegas is getting one and now to a virtual ski surface technology called Snowflex created by Brian
Bearfire Resorts has announced plans to build a winter-themed Thomas of Briton Engineering in the UK.
entertainment destination in Texas, but unlike the other two this will also
feature an outdoor component.
An artist’s impression of tthe mountain
After careful consideration, Bearfire executives believe they have
found an ideal location midway between the Dallas and Fort Worth
airports. “We are ecstatic to be leading the charge to provide such an
unprecedented entertainment experience in such a seemingly
improbable place,” says Charlie Aaron, president of Bearfire Resorts.
Fort Worth Bearfire Resort, the first of what could become several
such projects across the US and beyond, will bring the charm and sport
of an alpine skiing village to the heart of Texas. The resort’s main
attraction will be its snowy mountain, complete with ski runs, chair lifts,
competition half-pipes, toboggans and snow tubing. Fun for families will
include ice rinks, rides, a winter wonder-park for the children and rock
climbing opportunities.
The new project will feature a total ski-able area of 650,000 square
feet. Additionally, the resort will include a 600-room hotel, convention
centre and world-class spa. Wendell, Gene and Evan Jacobson of The
Elitch Gardens
rediscovers identity
Another amusement park recently acquired by PARC
Management has been re-branded and given back a
local identity. Denver Colorado’s hometown park will
now be named Elitch Gardens, its original name.
"While we want to pay tribute to the park’s celebrated past, we also
want to bring to this community the most advanced and complete theme
park experience possible,” says Randal Drew, president and CEO of
PARC Management. “Our goal is to create long-lasting family memories
and recapture the feel of what makes Elitch Gardens so magical.”
A new name isn't the only addition guests will see when visiting the
park this season. A new extreme CannonBowl slide from ProSlide
Technologies, RipQurl, will be coming to the neighbouring Island
Kingdom waterpark in June.
*Randy Drew interview, page 24
Fat birds
Penguins at SeaWorld Orlando are
being encouraged to watch their weight.
The black and white birds from the
Florida marine park stood eagerly in line
to get on the scales recently. Obtaining
a penguin’s weight is important because
it is an indicator of their overall health
and condition. In the past some birds
have been as heavy as 40 pounds.
“Who ever said you can’t teach old birds new tricks?” remarks
SeaWorld’s Courtney Falke
JUNE 2007 7
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