Dollywood's $5M Adventure Mountain project back on

Dollywood's $5M Adventure Mountain project back on

By WHITNEY HOLMES
6 News Anchor/Reporter

PIGEON FORGE -- A $5 million expansion at Dollywood is back on after the economy forced a delay.

The theme park has grown significantly since its 1986 inception and so has the surrounding city of Pigeon Forge.

But in November 2008, Dollywood's growth had to be put on hold temporarily when the Adventure Mountain attraction was delayed. Management blamed rising construction costs and the slumping economy.

When Dollywood announced its latest addition, the price tag was $5 million. Within three months, that price shot up $2 million.

Management decided to wait until the costs of construction materials went back down and the economy stabilized.

Now, the $5 million project is back on.

"We knew how much money we had and how much it was going to cost. So rather than eliminate elements and make it smaller, we decided to wait and provide the project that we originally had described," explains Dolllywood spokesman Pete Owens.

He says officials plan to break ground on Adventure Mountain this summer. It will be the world's largest interactive ropes course with swinging bridges and ladders crisscrossing their way across two acres of an area known as Wilderness Pass.

"You are harnessed in, wearing a full harness that is locked in above you. So you slide along a track as you try to overcome obstacles," Owens explains.

Adventure Mountain will open on Dollywood's opening day in 2010.

Officials say the attraction, along with Dollywood's 25th anniversary celebration, will give a boost to the entire region.

"It's meant to not only satisfy and excite guests we have, but also we hope to bring more people to area," Owens says.

Owens adds that about a dozen jobs could be created.

Dollywood's attendance has been on par with what officials expected this year. Owens adds that the rain has been the biggest obstacle for attendance.

Announcements about the 25th anniversary celebration are expected soon.