Theme park dream still alive in Wheeling

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.