A disaster, not quite of biblical proportions, is impacting a Kentucky attraction which features a huge wooden structure: Noah’s Ark. Ark Encounter is part of a new $92million theme park built 40 miles south of Cincinnati in 2016. Park developers say their version of the ark was built to the dimensions in the Old Testament of the Bible and is the largest timber-frame structure in the world. The Ark is 510 feet long, 80 feet wide, and more than 90 feet tall at its highest point; it has the capacity to hold 10,000 people.
While the Ark hasn’t been hit by bad weather, the park that surrounds it has. Heavy rains created a landslide around one of their access roads into the park, resulting in a hefty repair bill of $1million. The park expected their insurance companies to cover the repair bill from the heavy rain-related damage, but they failed to do so. As such, the park filed a 77-page suit in U.S. District Court against Swiss-based Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings, its use company and three other carriers; the park is seeking compensatory and punitive damages for not covering the repair bill.
While the access road was damaged by heavy rain, Noah’s Ark itself wasn’t damaged. According to park officials, the hours and attractions were not impacted by the storm damage nor were they impacted by the subsequent repair work.
The Ark in the park features three decks of exhibits revolving around the story of Noah from Genesis in the Bible. The Biblical story of a “Great Flood” is used to anchor exhibits dealing with modern geology and paleontology in addition to showcasing other Christian beliefs.
