Illinois' First Indoor Waterpark Resort A $90 Million Lodge & Resort Being Built An Hour West Of Chicago Area.

UTICA, Ill. -- Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Lodge, announced today a luxury wilderness $90 million family destination that will be Illinois' first indoor waterpark resort. The 60-acre project is being built next to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Ill. The resort is expected to have its grand opening in early July of this year.

The project is the dream of its three principal owners, Keith E. Wolick, Susan C. Wolick, and Joseph Hook Jr., real estate developers in the Chicago area for nearly 20 years. Chicago area hospitality veteran David Smiley, was announced as the general manager.

"We are excited for the people of Illinois because travel times to Grand Bear Lodge are much less than to Wisconsin and other out-of-state destinations," Smiley said. "According to an economic impact study compiled by the Tourism Bureau of Wisconsin Dells over $840 million was spent by travelers in the Dells in 2004. Since a majority of their business is from Illinois, we estimate about $600 million of that came from Illinois families."

A major feature attraction of the new resort's waterpark is the incorporation of "America's first motion and sound adventure waterslide." The slide incorporates innovative, state-of-the-art technology. From four-stories up, a rider can select from a variety of adventure experiences in a 54-inch diameter slide like no other that has ever been experienced in the U.S. both in color motion and sound. The waterpark also features a 32 inch, 240-foot long waterslide, wave pool, 240-foot fun lazy river, island with a dumping bucket that cascades water from 28-feet up, children's slide, toddler's pool, whirlpool and a rock grotto waterfall.

A three-story, log lodge features 92 oversized guest rooms and suites having wooden log furnishings and amenities such as a refrigerator and microwave oven. The lodge has a large atrium, family restaurant, bar, gift shop, convenience store, ice cream & candy shop, coffee & pastry shop and a complete arcade as well as banquet and meeting facilities.

Families may also want to rent one of the 100 spacious villas (1,800 sq. ft. each) now available that can sleep up to ten people. Construction is underway on an additional 40 villas and 68 large unique attached log cabin units guests may rent that can sleep up to 18 people. Over the atrium's massive stone fireplace are the larger-than-life animatronic characters named Grizzly Jack (a mountain man) and his friend Grand Bear (a friendly bear he saved), who greet and entertain guests with their movements and voices.

Outside the lodge, guests will discover the fun of Bear Island playground for kids. It has a snack shop, story telling campfire area, 18-hole miniature golf course and an overlook of Curtis Canyon, an 80-foot rock canyon with a waterfall.

Grizzly Jack's Enchanted Forest, an indoor amusement park fantasy world, will open later this fall. When families enter the four-story, 30,000 sq. ft. Enchanted Forest, they will be transported to a magical forest of large trees with 10 full-size amusement rides and carnival midway type games. Families can go up an elevator inside one of the large trees to get to a pizzeria.

Near the lodge, a full-service spa with 30 deluxe guest rooms will be constructed this fall for men and women and is expected to open in spring of 2006.

For more information call 1-866-399-FUNN (3866) or visit the Web site at: www.grandbearlodge.com.