Great Wolf Resorts Obtains $63.9 mil Four Year Construction Loan
Partialy Funds the Construction of New Resort in Concord, NC
MADISON, WI, April 30, 2008. Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: WOLF), North America's leading family of indoor waterpark resorts, today announced that the company has closed on a construction loan of $63.9 million to fund a portion of the total costs of the company's Great Wolf Lodge(R) resort under construction in Concord, N.C. The four-year loan is potentially expandable to a maximum principal amount of up to $79.9 million. The Concord resort is on schedule to open in Spring 2009. Marshall Financial Group is the lender and administrative agent for the new loan.
As of April 30, 2008, Marshall has obtained firm funding commitments from a group of lenders for approximately $63.9 million for the loan. Marshall and Great Wolf Resorts expect to continue to seek additional commitments to increase the balance of the loan toward the $79.9 million potential maximum amount over the next 90 days.
"Our ability to complete a large construction loan in this challenging credit environment underscores the confidence the financial community has in Great Wolf Resorts and the merits of this project," commented James A. Calder, Great Wolf Resorts chief financial officer. "With the combination of this loan, cash on hand and expected cash to be provided from operations, we believe we have the liquidity to complete construction of both our Concord resort and our major expansion at our existing Grapevine resort. We will continue to explore opportunities to further increase our liquidity through borrowings on our unlevered or lower-levered assets, while maintaining a prudently leveraged balance sheet."
"This is Marshall's fourth loan with Great Wolf Resorts, a valued client of our company," said Scott Anderson, Marshall's president and chief executive officer. "We believe our ability to execute this loan in a difficult debt environment is a tribute to the strength of the Great Wolf Lodge brand."
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
