Council renews conditional use permit for Grand Adventure’s 100‑foot soaring‑eagle ride and related indoor attractions

The Weatherford City Council approved a conditional use permit Jan. 28 allowing Grand Adventure to proceed with a phase‑one expansion on a roughly four‑acre site at 2065 Tintop Road that includes a soaring-eagle amusement ride reaching about 100 feet in height, indoor entertainment, an axe-throwing range, dining facilities, a corporate pavilion and maintenance buildings.

Planning staff said the inter‑state commercial zoning class permits principal uses above 45 feet only with a CUP; the applicant previously held an approval that had expired and is returning now that financing and planning are in place. The planning and zoning commission unanimously recommended approval subject to six staff conditions.

Lonnie Pennington, a developer and project representative, told councilors the ride is a proven, “safe” attraction with existing installations elsewhere (he cited rides in Davis, Okla., and Georgetown). "If y'all haven't ridden one, there's one in Turner Falls in Davis, Oklahoma," Pennington said. He also described the project as phased and said amusement‑equipment manufacturers and inspection teams will perform safety testing.

Council members asked staff and the applicant technical questions about testing, operations and safety. After a brief council discussion, Councilman Luke Williams moved to approve the CUP with the staff‑recommended conditions; Mayor Pro Tem Heidi Wilder seconded the motion and the council approved it.

Ending: Council approval permits Grand Adventure to begin procurement and construction for phase one; staff will verify required inspections and condition compliance during the permitting and occupancy process.