Construction of Noah’s Ark theme park in Kentucky set to begin

WILLIAMSTOWN , Ky., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Enough money has been raised by the creators of Kentucky’s Creation Museum that the construction of a Noah’s Ark theme park is almost set to begin on an 800-acre site in Williamstown, Ky.

The Ark Encounter park will contain a 510-foot replica of Noah’s famous vessel.

“We’re going to begin construction, and this is going to be great for the area,” Answers in Genesis president Ken Ham said in an online announcement Thursday night. “Let’s build the ark.” The plan is for the more than $120 million theme park to open in 2016.

In addition to the ark, the park plans to feature a pre-flood themed area, live animal shows and a “Tower of Babel” theater. According to Ham, the ark will be the largest timber-frame structure in the United States.

“We’re happy to be the home of the Ark,” Williamstown Mayor Rick Skinner told the Courier-Journal. The project is expected to bring hundreds of jobs to Grant County.

Ham, a young-Earth creationist, debated creation vs. evolution with Bill Nye "The Science Guy" in a widely-publicized live-streamed event at the Creation Museum, which helped raise the funds needed to begin construction.

Officials said they plan to break ground on the Ark Encounter park in May.

[Courier-Journal] [Ark Encounter]