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Legislature to vote on new theme park<br>

Mike Morgan, chief executive officer of GCNAE, shared the news with the Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce Board during their regular meeting March 18.

If HB 2365 is successful, a special taxing district would be created to fund a $3 billion venture that includes a 1,000-acre theme park in Williams. The project could also benefit the West Valley’s economy with a 60-acre amusement park featuring an indoor water park and roller coasters located next to Cricket Pavillion in Phoenix. Morgan was instrumental in brokering the deal for Cricket Pavillion in the 1980s.

The additional nine percent sales tax would be collected on purchases from those who use the parks. Individuals not using the parks would not be affected by the tax. The tax could generate between $75 million to $150 million in additional sales tax revenues for the state.

The proposed special tax district and theme park project are not typical since the majority of the time metro areas benefit more than rural areas.

“In this instance, our rural area will benefit,” Morgan said.

The theme park could be open by the summer of 2007, Morgan said.

The 1,000-acre theme park would include 50 acres of amusement rides in addition to a western theme park featuring pony rides, barn dances, saloon and rodeo area. Other attractions include a Route 66 “interactive strip,” a drive-in restaurant and sock hop. A performing arts center would be similar in design to the famous Hollywood Bowl.

Also included is a recreational vehicle luxury resort, hotels, Navajo learning center and a Renaissance area boasting an indoor jousting arena, castle, food and entertainment. An Asian garden would be created as well.

The park in west Phoenix would sit on 60 acres and would include an amusement park, water park and concert square.

The total cost of the project is approximately $3 billion and is expected to create 1,000 jobs. While some of the jobs are tourism-driven such as food preparation and janitorial, jobs such as computer, mechanics and entertainment will be created as well.

The Family Fun Fall Festival set for Oct. 6-10 is actually a kick off celebration for what lies ahead. Morgan predicts that an estimated 60,000 visitors will attend the five-day event featuring a business expo, first-class carnival and several major recording acts on a professional stage. The GCNAE has committed $345,000 towards securing two major recording acts. The names of the entertainers will be known by Monday when the contracts are due to be signed.

Due to a partnership with Clear Channel, the event will remain affordable with concert tickets selling for $20 each.

A rendering of the Grand Canyon-Northland Auto and Recreational Vehicle Center will also be unveiled during the festival. The 18-acre site for the business is located north of Interstate 40 and west of Airport Road. The business will be designed emulating the rural dealerships of the 1950s and 1960s.

GCNAE is under contract with the Navajo Nation and has formed a partnership to develop and manage a plan for commercial development near Williams. Once developed, Morgan foresees that the national caliber venue will create an extended visitor stay, increasing the visitor day count two to three fold. Currently the Grand Canyon area has five million visitors annually. Once complete, the theme park could increase annual visitation to 15-20 million.


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