 he proposed amusement park in Council Bluffs moved one step closer to reality Monday night when the Council Bluffs City Council approved the rezoning of land where the park would be constructed.
The city's Planning Commission gave their nod of approval a few weeks ago. A public hearing is also scheduled for August 12th. The City Council is expected to put it's official stamp of approval on the project following that hearing.
The park, which will eventually cost $50 to $70 million, will be located on land from South 24th Street to Indian Creek and north of South Omaha Bridge Road to 34th Avenue. A new road from South 24th Street will be the main entrance. A secondary entrance will be from South Omaha Bridge Road.
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Council
Bluffs, IA will 'have it all' |
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Although the park will be built over a period of years, 70 percent to 80 percent is expected to
be completed in the first year.
One of the main features will be a unique roller coaster constructed with both wood and steel. The coaster will rise to 100 feet with an 80-foot drop. According to Steve Minard, president of Metro Omaha Theme Park L.L.C., there are only 10 of these type roller coasters in the country.
The park will also feature an indoor year-round facility that would include "dark" rides and modern interactive "fun houses". They are also considering a newly-created type of roller coaster, the X-Coaster, in which riders travel along the side of the coaster.
When completed, the facility is expected to be larger than Adventureland in Des Moines.
Although not officially announced, the name listed on council documents for the park is 'Wild Escape'.
More than 10 investors are participating in the project and financing is moving along well, according to Minard. They are hoping to start construction some time this fall with a proposed opening date set for next May.
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