NEW SPACE — Phyllis “Flip” West, wife of the late Gary E. West, talks Thursday about how proud her late husband would be of the future lion habitat named after him at Oglebay Park Resort’s Good Zoo. -- Shelley Hanson

WHEELING — Those who have ever dreamed of sleeping with a pride of lions or getting to see the big cats up close and personal will get to do just that upon completion of the Gary E. West Pridelands in June.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the lion habitat and accompanying villas was held Thursday at Oglebay Park Resort’s Good Zoo.

The project includes construction of a 20,000-square-foot habitat for the lions connected to villas where guests can stay for an immersive experience. Large glass windows in the villas will provide expansive views of the lions in their habitats. At night guests will get to use night vision goggles to see the wild cats in action.

The lion habitat and villas will be part of a new area of the zoo dubbed Outpost Africa that will contain all of the facility’s wild animals from Africa including cheetahs, zebras, red river hogs and more.

Joe Greathouse, director of the Good Zoo, said the lion habitat will be one of the largest in the United States.

“What that enables us and our team to do is really provide exceptional care for the lions,” he said.

The zoo workers will be providing enrichment activities for the lions to encourage natural behaviors seen in the wild. And to help keep the lions happy there will be different indoor and outdoor areas that are cooled and heated in the habitat. The cats will also have climbing and resting structures, he said.

“What we have found is that if the animals are comfortable and they have plenty of space and they build strong interaction with the keeper team who takes care of them … they are more successful in having offspring,” Greathouse noted.

Greathouse said the zoo is hopeful to get at least a pair of lions for the habitat. The animals will come from another accredited zoo by donation or loan.

Bob Peckenpaugh, president and CEO of the Wheeling Park Commission, said the addition of the lions will put the Good Zoo “on the map.” He noted Greathouse pitched the idea and showed him and others examples of similar habitats in Europe.

“Small but mighty — the Oglebay Good Zoo. It’s about to become world-class with the addition of lions, the addition of the villas,” Peckenpaugh said. “This will truly put Oglebay Good Zoo on the map, I believe, internationally. … You’ll be able to sleep with the lions. You’ll be able to get up in the morning and you’ll be a trainer for a day, and really experience and learn about the lions.”

The lion habitat will be one of the largest in the eastern U.S. and the only one in West Virginia.

Phyllis “Flip” West, wife of the late Gary E. West, said it meant a lot to have the habitat named after her late husband.

“He was a very humble man. I pray he is up there filled with nothing but pride. I’m sure he’s overwhelmed and he’s going, what has Flip done now?” she said. “Everybody is so excited. I haven’t seen anything take place in the Ohio Valley that has so much enthusiasm. This is outstanding and not because I’m involved.”

Eriks Janelsins, Oglebay Foundation president and CEO, said the lion habitat is one of the most exciting and innovative projects in the Wheeling park system and community.

“The Gary E. West Pridelands is a powerful project that honors a man who gave so much to this community,” he said. “Gary West wasn’t just a business leader, but a philanthropist. He was the heart of his family and friends. A strong advocate for good and a champion for Wheeling.

“This project reflects Gary West’s strength, loyalty and love.”

In addition to the West family, supporters of the project include the Colcom Foundation, Helen J. Prince Foundation, WesBanco, Wheeling Tire and several others.

Companies involved with the design and construction include Mills Group; LDL Studio; Allegheny Design Services; Vaughn, Coast & Vaughn; Harper Engineering; Waller Corp. and WDM Architects.