New themepark for West Virginia?

[TheGreatOne]

Steve Minard confirmed that there will be a launch coaster built at Wild Escape

 

"One of those coasters will be a launch-coaster that will propel the riders from 0 to 50 mph in 4 seconds," Minard said. "And the carousel even has its own elevator.

 

Source: http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=12800

 

Could this possibly be a Booster Bike-style ride (Vekoma or the Zamperla MotoCoaster)?

[CoasterFanatic]

Once the construction of Wild Escape is finished, employment level could exceed 1,500 workers occupying jobs that compensate between $8.50 per hour and $180,000 annually.

 

I want to know which job there earns $180,000. Where do I apply?

[black562]

http://cmwv.wildescape.com/index_files/Page350.htm

 

FYI - here is the new website for the Wheeling project. Its basically a duplicate of the one from Port Nebraska.

 

Either way, one year to complete the first phase sounds a bit over-optimistic if you ask me.

 

Also, I'm not sure if your talking about the same thing, but if you mean "Cabela's", that's a large outdoor superstore similar to Bass Pro.

[willski]

^No, they were complaining about the Olive Garden going into the complex, which a lot of people think is inferior to Carabba's. Personally, I'd take homemade Italian stuff over that any day, but if you have to eat at a nasty chain place, Carabba's is pretty decent.

 

 

Am I the only one who noticed that the name of the newspaper in one of the links posted was "The Intelligencer"? Hahaha....only in West Virginia.

[FeelTheFORCE]

Sorry for bumping such an old thread, but there has been an update with this article written back in January that I just found.

 

Key parts in bold:

 

WHEELING - Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart does not know exactly when folks will get to ride roller coasters or eat funnel cakes at The Highlands. But plans for a Wild Escape Theme Park have not been abandoned, he said.

 

"I still speak with (theme park president Steve Minard) three or four times a month," Stewart said. "Steve hasn't hung up his cleats and said, 'You guys took too long."'

 

A groundbreaking ceremony for the park was held in 2006, with Minard saying portions of the park would be up and running in the summer of 2007. This was the same ceremony at which residents learned a new Olive Garden restaurant would be built at the site.

 

Minard said that because of the "complexity" of building a theme park, he anticipated it would take "five to seven years" total for it to be completed. Since the groundbreaking occurred about four years ago, the park could appear in one to three years if Minard's estimated time frame holds true.

 

While the county has said it will cover the cost of earthwork and infrastructure, Minard is taking care of the rest. He noted despite the recession, his investors for the project still are in line.

 

"Recessions come and go. Even the Depression ended," Minard said. "Even in the worst of times, people need an escape."

 

Stewart noted, however, in the beginning the project did meet some roadblocks. Before any work would be allowed, federal and state environmental permits first had to be OK'd. The last of the permits was finally approved last year.

 

"If I had a date I would tell you," Stewart said when asked when he believed earthwork for the park might begin.

 

The county currently is seeking permission from the West Virginia Development Office to use an additional $30 million in tax increment financing for more development at the site.

 

In addition to making space for 18 new businesses in 2010, a portion of this money is expected to be used for earth moving and infrastructure work related to Wild Escape, according to the TIF plan.

 

Stewart said he expects the state to make its decision about the TIF plan sometime this month.

 

He noted bringing in the new businesses is a top priority for The Highlands, but work related to the theme park could happen concurrently. Although the environmental permits are in place, the Ohio County Development Authority still must approve an engineering firm expected to oversee earth work at the site. Stewart said two firms have been chosen by a subcommittee of sorts, and the OCDA is expected to be presented those firms in February.

 

Meanwhile, Minard said roller coasters for the park still are in storage in Germany, Argentina and Florida, as they have been for the past few years.

 

"It's better to be safe and have them available," Minard said, noting when the park is "ready to go," so will the coasters.

 

Although he said he would not mind sharing examples of the manufactured rides, Minard has said he does not want any potential competitors to see what he has planned for fear they may steal his ideas.

 

When the building site becomes "pad ready," Minard said he would be able to estimate an opening date for Wild Escape.

 

"We would love to move faster. ... It's no exaggeration to say we're building a small city," Minard said.

 

 

 

Also, the area has it's own website, including a blurb on the park.

Blurb on the park.

Edited June 5, 2010 by FeelTheFORCE

[jamesdillaman]

I'll believe it when I see it. It would be a nice addition to a trip to Kennywood, though. It isn't very far...

[eddie200330]

What roller coasters do you keep in storage in 3 different country's? Are they used......

[deathbydinn]

Well the one in Germany could be the launched coaster they talked about. If it was new it could have been made by Mack and has been stored their ever since. As for the ones in Florida and Argentina, I'm assuming those would be used although the concept art does show a woodie, but yet again it doesn't show a launched coaster so who knows?

[phantomfan93]

Its been 4 years, its do or die.