News: Native American tribes consider theme park venture

Posted at 9:33 AM EDT (1333 GMT)

Oct. 19th, 2006 -- Local Oklahoma Native American tribes who together own 168 acres at the site of a former boarding school within one-hour drive of Oklahoma City are looking into the possibility of building a new historical or amusement park.

The former Chilocco boarding school was open from 1884 until 1983 and is listed on the national register of historical places.  The tribes will be renovating the school’s buildings soon and make a museum of the complex.

The remainder of the land is being looked at to build an attraction like a theme, historical or water park with a projected cost of over $300 million.

In addition to the park, each of the five tribes involved will develop their own businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and movie theaters.

Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Wichita are all within one-hour drive of the proposed site and the close proximity of these growing cities is the main reason the tribes are looking at this new venture.

For more information please visit KAKE.