Gran Scala facts for kids
| Location | Ontinena, Aragon, Spain |
|---|---|
| Opened | 2012 |
| Owner | International Leisure Development |
| Area | 6,670 acres (2,700 ha) |
| Website | www.ild-plc.com |
Gran Scala was a very big plan for a new "leisure city" in Spain. It was meant to be a huge place for fun and entertainment for people of all ages. The project was planned for a large desert area in Los Monegros, near Ontiñena, in the Huesca province.
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What Was Gran Scala?
The idea for Gran Scala was to build a massive entertainment complex. It would have included 32 casinos and 70 hotels. There were also plans for five different theme parks. On top of that, a town for 100,000 people was part of the design. The first parts of Gran Scala were supposed to open in mid-2012.
Who Was Behind the Project?
A group of companies called ILD (International Leisure Development) was in charge of this private project. The government of Aragon, a region in Spain, also supported it. They promised to build the roads and other important connections needed for the project. ILD hoped to get many different investors. These investors would help build the hotels, gaming areas, and fun attractions.
Construction was planned to start in September 2008. This was right after the Expo 2008 event in Zaragoza. The first parts of Gran Scala were expected to open around mid-2010.
Why Gran Scala Didn't Happen
Sadly, by 2015, nothing had been built for Gran Scala. The project never started. It became one of many big plans in Spain that failed. This happened after the 2008 financial crisis. That crisis hit Spain very hard, making it difficult for such large projects to get funding.
Environmental Concerns
Most people in Aragon liked the idea of Gran Scala. However, some groups were worried about the environment. They said the project would be built on a very special desert area. This area has a rich and delicate ecosystem. An ecosystem is a community of living things and their environment. These groups believed that such a huge development would harm the natural plants and animals.
People were also concerned because the project was so big. It would promote activities like games of chance and lots of shopping. An aquatic theme park was also planned. This was a big worry because the area often has droughts. A drought is a long period with very little rain. This means water is often in short supply.
See also
In Spanish: Gran Scala para niños
