July 3, 2008
Wild West World Purchased
AHG Group LLC, a Maitland, Fla., land developer best known for its work developing American Indian casinos, bought Wild West World and plans to hold concerts there by Labor Day.
AHG already is looking for a professional theater operator to reopen the soon-to-be-renamed Johnny Western Theatre in the next 60 days.
Plans call for a professional amusement park operator to revive the theme park, although it likely won't reopen until next spring, said Doug Spangler, an AHG official.
Beyond the first year, Spangler said the group plans a demand-driven build-out of hotels, restaurants and retail to match the Wichita area's interest in Wild West World.
Filed under Tourism by Editor
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Thomas Etheredge, founder of the defunct Wichita-area amusement park was arrested in Texas on 10 counts of securities fraud related to his fundraising for the short-lived venture. Etheredge opened the $30 million Western-themed amusement park on May 5, 2007.
Kansas Securities Commissioner Chris Biggs alleges that 54-year-old Thomas Etheredge made misrepresentations or failed to disclose material facts when raising more than $800,000 from private investors for Wild West World, near Park City.