MasonBuzz.com

The Enquirer reports:

Great Wolf Resorts Inc., which operates an indoor water park in Mason, said Tuesday it agreed to be acquired for $167 million by New York investment firm Apollo Global Management.

Apollo will pay $5 a share, about a 19 percent premium over the Madison, Wis.-based company’s closing stock price on Monday.

Great Wolf counts 33.4 million outstanding shares. Apollo valued the deal at $703 million including the assumption of debt.

The offer was unanimously approved by Great Wolf’s board, which is advising the company’s shareholders to tender their shares.

“After a thorough assessment, we concluded that the proposal put forth by Apollo is the best way to maximize value for shareholders, who will receive a substantial and immediate cash premium for their shares,” Kim Schaefer, Great Wolf’s CEO, said in a statement.

Also, Great Wolf said its board approved a shareholder rights plan, known as a “poison pill,” which is a maneuver designed to deter any unsanctioned attempts to take over the company.

Great Wolf said the plan, which kicks in if someone other than Apollo acquires 12.5 percent or more of the company’s stock, is designed to protect the company’s shareholders in the event that someone other than Apollo attempts to buy the company.

The Mason resort opened in 2006 employing about 500.

The first Great Wolf Lodge resort opened in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., and the company now operates 11 properties.

The resorts generally include 300 to 600 rooms and a large indoor entertainment area of up to 100,000 square feet. They also feature arcade and game rooms, themed restaurants, spas, children’s activities and other amenities, the company said.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Great Wolf Lodge, News |

Tags: Tags: acquisition, apollo global management, business, great wolf lodge, great wolf resorts, mason

The life-size gingerbread house at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason took more than 1,000 hours to complete and includes more than 50,000 candies, 1,000 candy canes, 300 cookies, 100 pounds of chocolate and a whopping 1,900 pounds of gingerbread. Up to six diners can dine in the house for a reservation fee of $20. Proceeds benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Enquirer/Rachel Richardson

There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially if ‘home’ is a life-sized gingerbread house.

Great Wolf Lodge unveiled its “home sweet home” Saturday as part of the Mason indoor waterpark’s annual Snowland celebration kick-off.

The colossal two-story high 10-foot by 12-foot creation took more than 1,000 hours to complete and includes more than 50,000 candies, 1,000 candy canes, 300 cookies, 100 pounds of chocolate and a whopping 1,900 pounds of gingerbread.

• Photos: Details of Great Wolf Lodge’s gingerbread house and Snowland festivities

Dozens of lodge guests and area residents attended the gingerbread house’s unveiling at the lodge’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Saturday.

Similar structures were built at Great Wolf Lodge’s 10 other locations nationwide.  The chain’s Snowland celebration, which includes daily seasonal activities, runs through Christmas.

“Each holiday season, we strive to surprise and delight our guests with all that Snowland has to offer,” said Tim Black, the resort’s executive vice-president of operations.  “Bringing the magic and whimsy of a life-sized gingerbread house to life is an unforgettable experience and a first for our popular Snowland tradition.

The lavish architectural creation isn’t just festive, it’s also charitable.

Beginning Saturday and continuing through New Years, diners can reserve breakfast, lunch or dinner spots inside the gingerbread house, which seats up to six diners, for a $20 reservation fee.

(Although the site’s water park is available only to registered guests, meals at the gingerbread house and the resort’s restaurant are open to the general public.)

Proceeds from the reservation fees will be donated to Big Brothers, Big Sisters, said Mason General Manager Terrie Zajo.  The organization is among Great Wolf Lodge’s charitable partners.

“We’ve never tried this before, so we’re really excited to see how it goes,” she said.

The confectionery cottage received rave reviews from spectators, including many children (and adults) who struggled with the urge to nibble on the house.

“I thought it was fake; everything is made so perfect,” said Christian James, 10, of Mason.   ”It was actually pretty cool that they thought of it.”

To make a reservation at Great Wolf Lodge Mason’s gingerbread house, call 513-459-8885 or email masoninfo@greatwolf.com.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Great Wolf Lodge, News |

Tags: Tags: betsy kang, big brothers big sisters, celebration, charity, christian james, christmas, christmas tree lighting, gingerbread house, great wolf lodge, life-size, life-size gingerbread house, lifesize, mason, snowland, terrie zajo, tim black, water park