Developers Unveil Plans For Deadwood Theme Park

DEADWOOD, S.D. (AP) — A proposed multimillion-dollar western theme park in Deadwood would include three themes: miners, cowboys and pioneers, and Native Americans during the days of the Old West.

The Black Hills Pioneer reports developers unveiled more specific plans for the Gold Nugget Theme Park during a public meeting this week. Dennis Speigel with International Theme Park Services says the facility would cost at least $40 million and up to $80 million.

Speigel says the idea will be to recreate the experience of an Old West gold mining town of the late 1800s. Deadwood was born in a gold rush and is now known as a destination for 2 million gamblers and other tourists each year.

Developers hope to break ground for the theme park next year and open it in 2019.