Illinois' First Indoor Waterpark Resort A $90 Million Project Opening West Of Chicago Area; GRAND OPENING - THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Business Wire, June 23, 2005

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Lodge:

WHO: Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Lodge, "Illinois' first indoor waterpark resort" in Utica, Ill., will hold its spectacular grand opening and ceremonies. The $90 million, 60-acre property is located next to Starved Rock State Park. Attending and/or speakers scheduled are: Jan Kostner, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Tourism; Patrick Snyder, Executive Director of Visit Illinois; Samuel Stanovich, President of the Heritage Corridor Convention & Visitors Bureau; Mark Gordon, President of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association; David Smiley, General Manager of Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Lodge as well as the owners of the resort, Keith E. Wolick, Susan C. Wolick and Joseph Hook Jr.

WHAT: There will be grand opening ceremonies and the opportunity to photograph and film the waterpark's premier of "America's first motion and sound adventure waterslide." It has six high-tech adventure themes to thrill and excite riders on their descent down the four-story, 330-foot slide. There will be a reception in the ballroom, guided tours (some of them on a horse drawn wagon) and the announcement plans for the resort's expansion of more entertainment and recreational amenities. State and regional elected officials, along with business leaders and tourism representatives, will comment on the resort's impact on Illinois tourism and the effect on state and local tax revenues and employment opportunities.

WHEN: Thursday, June 30, 2005, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: The resort is south of Interstate 80 at the Utica exit, mile marker 81. Exit there and take Ill. Rt. 178 south for three miles.

WHY: As Illinois' first indoor waterpark resort, the economic and employment boom to the tornado ravaged Utica is necessary for its recovery. The economic impact on state tourism is likewise important. Over $700 million in revenue goes to Wisconsin each year by Illinois residents visiting its waterpark resorts. That translates to approximately $39 million in lost tax dollars to Illinois. In addition, media will have access to Bear Island's recently expanded attractions and the 100 (1,800 sq. ft.) luxury villas that sleep up to ten people. Media will also have access to the construction area of the new 2,800 sq. ft. log cabins that can sleep up to 18 people and the additional villas being built. Media will see where a luxurious full-service spa with 30 guest rooms is planned as well as hear the exciting details of Grizzly Jack's Enchanted Forest, a 30,000 sq. ft. four-story fantasy world with amusement rides, games and a tree house pizzeria.

NOTE: A MEDIA ROOM WILL BE AVAILABLE WITH PHONES AND COMPUTERS. A PRESS KIT WITH CD CONTAINING LOGOS, GRAPHICS, PHOTOS AND FACT SHEETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT CHECK-IN AT THE FRONT DESK.