Great Wolf Lodge still in Canadian hands despite U.S. sale.
Canadian operation in Falls not affected
Great Wolf Resorts, a United States company, has been sold, but the sale is not expected to affect the Great Wolf Lodge water park in Niagara Falls, says general manager Keith Simmonds.
“The Niagara Falls Great Wolf Lodge is wholly owned and operated by the Jim Pattison group of companies,” said Simmonds. “Although we see the sale as a positive move for the brand, the Niagara Falls property will continue to operate as it has in the past as a proud member of our wonderful family resort brand.”
Simmonds said the Niagara Falls location is a franchise and it will not be affected by the sale.
“The brand and this property will continue to operate the same as it has in the past,” said Simmonds.
Apollo Global Management LLC, a leading global asset manager that has offices around the world, announced on Tuesday it had agreed to acquire Great Wolf, North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts. The deal is valued at about $703 million, including the assumption of the company’s outstanding debt.
The first Great Wolf lodge resort opened in 1997 in Wisconsin Dells, Wis. The company now operates 11 properties throughout North America. These resorts generally feature 300- 600 rooms and a large indoor entertainment area measuring 40,000 to 100,000 square feet.
The properties offer a variety of room styles, arcade/ game rooms, fitness rooms, restaurants with different themes, spas and supervised children’s activities.
A company spokesman has confirmed Tuesday’s announcement “will have no material impact on our business operations or the day-to-day activities at our resorts.”
Aaron Stone, senior partner at Apollo Global Management, said they are excited to support the continued growth of Great Wolf Resorts.
“We feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue the company’s commitment to provide the very best in family destination resorts,” said Stone.
Tim Parker, general manager of Ripley’s Entertainment in Niagara Falls, which is also connected with the Jim Pattison Group, said the Canadian operation should not be affected in any way because “we are the first and the only franchise of t he Great Wolf Resorts. Everything that you see here in Niagara Falls is owned and operated by the Jim Pattison Group.”
He noted all of the Great Wolf lodges that are located in the United States are company owned.
“Whatever Apollo decides to do will happen in those resorts,” said Parker.
The Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls opened in November 2005.
The Jim Pattison Group is Canada’s third largest privately held company. It has more than 31,000 employees and has investments in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company is involved in a wide variety of industries including TV and radio stations, car dealerships, grocery store chains, advertising and real estate development and entertainment.