)
An Oklahoma-based development group is moving forward with plans to bring a major theme park and resort to the state that could rival the size of Disney's Magic Kingdom and Disneyland parks.
Developer American Heartland, an affiliate of entertainment company Mansion Entertainment Group, plans to build a $2B development that will include a 125-acre theme park and adjacent 320-acre Three Ponies RV park and campground, marking the largest campground in the central U.S. with 750 RV spaces and 300 cabins in Vinita, Oklahoma, according to a press release.
The 1,000-acre development is planned to be built in phases, with the RV park and cabins set to open in 2025 and the theme park and resort scheduled to open in 2026, according to the website.
The Vinita City Council this week approved a proposal to annex land for the development, and Mayor Josh Lee said the development team secured funding for the project, Construction Dive reported Thursday.
The developer earlier this month picked Crossland Construction to build the RV park and campgrounds, Fox23 reported.
The park will feature six themed environments: Great Plains, Bayou Bay, Big Timber Falls, Stony Point Harbor, Liberty Village and Electropolis, according to the press release. The development will also include a 300-room hotel and indoor waterpark.
Although the city of just 5,000 is not near any major metropolitan areas, elected officials are optimistic about the theme park's success.
The city plans to expedite the permitting process for more housing, restaurants and lodging to support the expected surge in population because of the park, Construction Dive reported. City officials want to ask the state's legislature for at least $36M in infrastructure improvements.
"This $2 billion investment in our state will create more than 4,000 jobs and introduce a new category of entertainment to the region, and its long-term economic impact will be transformative," Oklahoma State Sen. Micheal Bergstrom said in a statement. "Tourism is already one of Oklahoma's top industries and this project will elevate our state even further."
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)