Phase one of Bearizona theme park scheduled to open in May

By RYAN WILLIAMS
Williams-Grand Canyon News Reporter
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Park could lure more visitors to Williams

It looks like bears, wolves, mountain lions and buffalo will likely be moving back into the hills above the city of Williams. According to developer Sean Casey, the Bearizona theme park is expected to be up and running in its first phase by May 2010. The park will be located near the Highway 64 and Interstate 40 junction on a parcel of land previously owned by the Keethler family.

Casey spoke to members of the Williams Rotary Club Oct. 8 saying that the city of Williams and its residents have been extremely supportive of the project.

"I want to say thanks to Williams. We've been just welcomed here with open arms," he said. "Whether it's the chamber or the city council, mayor, city manager. Planning and Zoning, all the way down the line. They all welcomed our project."

Casey said that roads have been roughed in for the theme park. The attraction plans to hire 60-seasonal/full time employees along with 10 year round employees.

"We're planning to open the first phase in May with the drive through portion," Casey said. "Bears, wolves, buffalo, Rocky Mountain goat, and big horn sheep. So probably those five or six on the drive through. We're going with roads, some infrastructure, fence, maintenance building and some restrooms. That's our Phase One."

Phase two of the park involves the construction of a walk through area that will feature 20 to 25 large areas for smaller animals in a more traditional zoo environment. Casey did not specify when construction of Phase Two would begin but he was optimistic that it would follow shortly after the initial development was complete.

"If we hit even a quarter of our projections, phase two is going to go. I mean we're planning on just rolling into Phase Two," he said.

The Williams City Council voted at its Sept. 10 meeting to approve the facility's developmental master plan with city officials also voting to approve a variance for signage at the park during the meeting.

Dennis Wells, Williams City Manager, told Casey the timing of the theme park project was excellent.

"The city of Williams is extremely excited to have this coming to town and quite frankly it couldn't have come at a better time. We are doing everything we possibly can to make sure it goes through as expeditiously and smoothly as possible," Wells said.

Signage at the entrance to the park will resemble rocks and logs but will have digital signs inside. Casey explained that the signs will rotate, with some of the rotation time dedicated to local events.

"Twenty percent of that sign time goes towards public purpose," Casey said. "That could be Rotary, United Way Golf Tournament, car shows, gun fights, all that kind of stuff. So I think that will really help Williams to drag a few more people off the highway. It's good for us as well."

Casey went on to say the park will be open most of the year with the possibility of a short closure during the winter.

"We're hoping to stay open throughout the year," he said. "I thought we would close January and February, but the Polar Express goes through the middle of January so I'm sure we'll try to stay open for that."

Casey and other members of his family currently operate Bear Country U.S.A. in South Dakota, online at www.bearcountryusa.com. The South Dakota park is one of the top four attractions in the area, Casey said. While Casey said the proposed park is not affiliated with Bear Country U.S.A., the park would be similar in a number of ways. The Bear Country U.S.A. facility rates as one of the top four attractions in the Black Hills area of South Dakota.