Theme Park Plans

October 17-- It's hard to imagine with all the overgrown weeds and vandalism at an old Indian boarding school, but developers say it could be the site of a new theme park, that sits between Arkansas City and New Kirk, Oklahoma.

The Otoe-Missouria tribes together own 168 acres at the former Chilocco boarding school.

The school was open from 1884 until 1983. It is listed on the national register of historic place, and the five tribes will soon be renovating the buildings to make a museum.

With the rest of the land, the tribes hope to make a regional attraction, like a theme park or water park. The cost of the project will be more than $300 million, and could employ up to 5,000 people.

While the Otoe-Missouria Tribal Chairman says they are considering a Disney-sized destination, Michael Harwell says they would probably prefer it be an American Indian-themed historical park, talking about the history of the five tribes.

In addition to the theme park, each of the five tribes will be developing its supporting businesses, such as restaurants, cinemas, and hotels.

The Otoe-Missouria tribe just opened a travel center/smoke shop/casino, just a mile away from the park site, and already have plans to expand due to overcrowding. It also has plans to build a $200 million hotel right on the state line, that would have 400 rooms, and several thousand slots and tables.

The tribes say they are trying to capitalize on three growing cities: Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Wichita -- all within an hour drive of the future park.