June 1996
Jurassic Amusement ParkElwyn Gee brings the prehistoric Grand Canyon
indoors, on time and under budget
The scene is the Grand Canyon of 16 million years ago. Dinosaurs bellow as they roam the canyon floor; their echoes compete with the roar of a towering waterfall. Fossils in the canyon walls above a swift river are evidence that this majestic place has already been a billion years in the making.
But there is one significant difference in this prehistoric scene: it's populated by tourists. Some are taking a wild ride on the river, even more are riding a double-loop roller coaster that traverses the length of the canyon. Other take snap-shots of the raucous dinosaurs, or have a meal in a southwestern-style restaurant.
No, this is not a scene from an upcoming Jurassic Park sequel. This is the Grand Slam Canyon theme park built by Circus Circus enterprises in Las Vegas. All of it is fitted into a 5 acre expanse covered by a 180 ft. high geodesic dome of magenta glass. The human visitors enjoy protection from seasons and weather, but they can watch day turn into night just as the real Grand Canyon would soften under an Arizona sky.
The Circus Circus organization had an otherwise complete blueprint ready when it asked me to propose how the theme park should be illuminated. Artistically, the lights should create a mood of mystery - even a swampy feeling here and there - to suit the prehistoric setting. The many practical demands included providing a safely lit perimeter walkway, highlighting the canyon, the 90 ft waterfall and other visual attractions, keeping energy costs down, easy fixture maintenance, and preventing vandalism. Another challenge was that the architect would let nothing be attached to the dome.
The lighting budget was already set. The time frame, given in December 1993: develop a concept in 3 weeks, deliver a mock-up in less that 3 months, complete installation for a grand opening in summer 1994.
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