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NEWS
Parks! America makes play to add Texas safari park Aggieland to its roster
POSTED 24 Jan 2020 . BY Andy Knaggs
Visitors to Aggieland can feed a number of animals during drive-through and on-foot safari experiences Credit: Aggieland Safari
Aggieland Safari Adventure Zoo and Safari Park in Bryan, Texas, is the subject of a potential purchase by Parks! America, which currently owns and operates two regional theme parks, the Wild Animal Safari parks in Georgia and Missouri.

The zoo and safari park is owned and operated by the student body of Texas A&M University – students at the university are referred to as "Aggies" – and was only opened in May 2019.

Set in 450 acres of land about 120 miles from Houston, it features a 250-acre drive-through safari and an adventure zoo for an on-foot safari experience, including opportunities to feed animals such as giraffes, kangaroos, otters, birds and tortoises.

There are more than 100 species of wildlife on-site, as well as facilities such as a covered pavilion, an activity recreation area for kids and dining at the Savannah Grill.

Parks! America has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent dated 15 January 2020 to acquire the park for US$7.5m (€6.8m, £5.7m). At least US$5m (€4.5m, £3.8m) of this will have to be raised through financing, with the remainder coming from available cash.

The Letter of Intent gives Parks! America a 90-day exclusivity period to execute a definitive agreement, subject to conditions such as satisfactory due diligence, the satisfactory completion of an audit of Aggieland, and necessary regulatory, corporate, shareholder and third-party approvals being met.

Dale Van Voorhis, chair and CEO of Parks! America, commented: "Aggieland Safari fits well in our existing park mix, providing geographic diversification. It is a new park, having recently completed a successful inaugural season, has a high-quality infrastructure and is home to more than 1,000 animals, birds and reptiles.

"We believe Parks! America will add value with our expertise in operating and marketing unique wild animal experiences."
RELATED STORIES
  May date announced for Texas safari park opening


A new zoo and safari park is set to open in Texas, US, next month, with the Aggieland Safari describing itself as the "Serengeti of the South".
MORE NEWS
Disneyland Paris renames theme park as part of $2 billion transformation
Disneyland Paris has unveiled a new name for Walt Disney Studios Park as part of the park’s US$2 billion transformation.
UK's Royal attractions had a bumper year in 2023
Numbers from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, (ALVA) show that Royal attractions saw a huge increase in visitor numbers during 2023 – the coronation year of King Charles III.
Efteling to convert steam trains to electric as part of green drive
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 announces new Attractions & Entertainment Technology Zone
Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) invites cruise lines, shipyards, design studios, outfitters, and suppliers to take part in CSI Design Expo Americas in Miami, Florida, the region’s only event dedicated to cruise ship interior design. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
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DIARY

 

18-22 May 2024

Eco Resort Network

The Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Mauritius
23-24 May 2024

European Health Prevention Day

Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
+ More diary  
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NEWS
Parks! America makes play to add Texas safari park Aggieland to its roster
POSTED 24 Jan 2020 . BY Andy Knaggs
Visitors to Aggieland can feed a number of animals during drive-through and on-foot safari experiences Credit: Aggieland Safari
Aggieland Safari Adventure Zoo and Safari Park in Bryan, Texas, is the subject of a potential purchase by Parks! America, which currently owns and operates two regional theme parks, the Wild Animal Safari parks in Georgia and Missouri.

The zoo and safari park is owned and operated by the student body of Texas A&M University – students at the university are referred to as "Aggies" – and was only opened in May 2019.

Set in 450 acres of land about 120 miles from Houston, it features a 250-acre drive-through safari and an adventure zoo for an on-foot safari experience, including opportunities to feed animals such as giraffes, kangaroos, otters, birds and tortoises.

There are more than 100 species of wildlife on-site, as well as facilities such as a covered pavilion, an activity recreation area for kids and dining at the Savannah Grill.

Parks! America has entered into a non-binding Letter of Intent dated 15 January 2020 to acquire the park for US$7.5m (€6.8m, £5.7m). At least US$5m (€4.5m, £3.8m) of this will have to be raised through financing, with the remainder coming from available cash.

The Letter of Intent gives Parks! America a 90-day exclusivity period to execute a definitive agreement, subject to conditions such as satisfactory due diligence, the satisfactory completion of an audit of Aggieland, and necessary regulatory, corporate, shareholder and third-party approvals being met.

Dale Van Voorhis, chair and CEO of Parks! America, commented: "Aggieland Safari fits well in our existing park mix, providing geographic diversification. It is a new park, having recently completed a successful inaugural season, has a high-quality infrastructure and is home to more than 1,000 animals, birds and reptiles.

"We believe Parks! America will add value with our expertise in operating and marketing unique wild animal experiences."
RELATED STORIES
May date announced for Texas safari park opening


A new zoo and safari park is set to open in Texas, US, next month, with the Aggieland Safari describing itself as the "Serengeti of the South".
MORE NEWS
Disneyland Paris renames theme park as part of $2 billion transformation
Disneyland Paris has unveiled a new name for Walt Disney Studios Park as part of the park’s US$2 billion transformation.
UK's Royal attractions had a bumper year in 2023
Numbers from the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, (ALVA) show that Royal attractions saw a huge increase in visitor numbers during 2023 – the coronation year of King Charles III.
Efteling to convert steam trains to electric as part of green drive
The Everyday Heritage initiative celebrates and preserves working class histories
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal announces long-awaited details of its Epic Universe, set to open in 2025
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Heartbreak for Swedish theme park, Liseberg, as fire breaks out
A fire has destroyed part of the new water world, Oceana, at Liseberg in Sweden, and a construction worker has been reported missing.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Clip 'n Climb

Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and investors more than 40 colourful and unique Cha [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 announces new Attractions & Entertainment Technology Zone
Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) invites cruise lines, shipyards, design studios, outfitters, and suppliers to take part in CSI Design Expo Americas in Miami, Florida, the region’s only event dedicated to cruise ship interior design. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

18-22 May 2024

Eco Resort Network

The Ravenala Attitude Hotel, Mauritius
23-24 May 2024

European Health Prevention Day

Large Hall of the Chamber of Commerce (Erbprinzenpalais), Wiesbaden, Germany
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2024

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
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PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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