Wild West World Closes, Declares Bankruptcy

Wild West World, the Kansas theme park which opened on May 1 to the media and May 5 to the public with less than stellar attendance, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and has closed according to the company website posted yesterday. A press release issued by company attorneys states the family operating the park believes in the park and that Wichita needs family entertainment.

Mr. Thomas Etheredge, one of the founders of the theme park, points to the May 4 tornado which ripped through Greensburg, Kan., and continued rain as dampening the celebratory mood of the community. In the press release, he cites over 50 days of foul weather over the three month period the park was open. Independence Day was specifically pointed out as being particularly hard as it ended in torrential rains. Other speculated causes for the parks poor showing were the poor attendance related to the weather and cost overruns related to construction.

Some attractions were not complete by the grand opening due to parts being held up in customs. As late as July, work was yet to be completed on a theatre, park buildings, office buildings, and ride foundations. The "Johnny Western" Theatre, still under construction, was scheduled to host a concert series beginning in October. The major attraction to the park was the Chinese Acrobat Troupe, which was scheduled to perform through August for the parks' grand opening.

His stated intention is to find a buyer "with deeper pockets" to buy the park and saving that white knight, the park will not reopen. Employees have reportedly been paid current. The park is reportedly $24 million in debt. According to the company press release, Mr. Etheredge and his family mortgaged their home and business, the Prairie Rose Chuckwagon Supper a restaurant started eight years ago.