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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A local group is seeking to take over the lease of Old Tucson after American Heritage Railways announced it would not extend its contract to operate the historic western theme park.
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The group, known as Wild West Enterprise, or ‘Save Old Tucson,’ is made up of performers and longtime fans of the park who said they came together after the property’s future became uncertain.
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Group founder Robert Loebl said the park once ranked as the second-largest tourist attraction in Arizona.
“You know this used to be the second largest next to the Grand Canyon, and there’s no reason why we can’t be number one, but we’ve got to bring it back to where it was,” Loebl said.
Loebl said the group has been working with Pima County to raise money, attract vendors, and develop a plan modeled after the park’s peak years.
“You know, in the 60s, 70s, and 80s this place was hopping. We had films being made out here, we had rodeos, we had concerts, we had the whole shebang,” Loebl said.
Despite the ending of the lease, Nightfall and Yuletide are expected to happen at Old Tucson this year.
Park has faced declining attendance since COVID
Old Tucson has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic, recording an 11% decline in visitors this year and facing a shrinking tourism industry, according to Pima County.
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To address those challenges, Loebl said the group wants to expand educational programming and bring back film festivals, horseback riding, and movie production.
He said lowering ticket prices to make the park more accessible for Tucson families is also a priority.
Save Old Tucson is one of several groups interested in acquiring the lease. Pima County said it will continue working with all interested parties to ensure the long-term success of Old Tucson.
“As many times and as hard as people have tried to bring Arizona out of the Wild West, they’ll never ever be able to take the Wild West out of Arizona, and that’s what we represent,” Loebl said.
Community event planned for Sunday
The Save Old Tucson team is holding an event Sunday where the group plans to release the full details of its proposal and outline ways the community can get involved.
The event is sold-out, but will be livestreamed on the group’s Facebook page.
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