For proponents of a $150 million theme park inside The Pyramid, the arena redevelopment process has been anything but a thrill ride.

Local marketing executive Greg Ericson and his group have been forced to wait as the city and county pursue a Bass Pro Shops mega-store. But Ericson said Monday his group remains interested in transforming the building -- preferably with Bass Pro as a partner.

"We definitely could do it alone, but we definitely want a large retail component to the development," said Ericson, who is working with Hnedak Bobo Group architects. "Because I think there's some wonderful synergies there."

Ericson's Pyramid Adventure plans call for a rollercoaster, a mountain with a 100-foot-tall water flume and a drop ride that simulates a free fall from more than 200 feet. The project also includes educational components.

When Bass Pro announced its Pyramid project on Feb. 24, 2006, president Jim Hagale said company officials would "certainly entertain" the Ericson group's proposal. The two sides have met since then, as recently as three months ago, and Ericson said the outdoors retailer remains interested.

"Jim Hagale told me that he wanted Bass Pro to get their deal finalized with the city and county before he has additional conversations with us about partnering," Ericson said.

Hagale has declined recent interview requests. But city chief financial officer Robert Lipscomb said the Springfield, Mo.-based company has increased the pace of its planning and that progress is being made toward a development agreement that would guarantee the project.

The original target for a development agreement was around April 1, 2006. Lipscomb continues to patiently pursue Bass Pro, however, rather than move on the Plan B represented by the theme park.

"At some point, you have to say that if Bass Pro does not make the kind of progress that you think that they should make, then you have no choice but to move to the second alternative," Lipscomb said. "I don't think we're there yet."

Also, Lipscomb said, there's the issue of financial viability.

"I still haven't seen any financing (for the theme park)," he said. "Where's the money?

"I know Bass Pro has the ability of doing whatever they want to do. Be it $100 million or $300 million, they have the financial wherewithal to do it.

"I don't mean to belittle the Ericson group or their value, but where is the money."

Said Ericson, "I don't have any qualms with that. I've been up front and honest -- I don't have the money in a bank account. But I do feel 99 percent sure we could get the funding.

"There's enough venture capital money out there to fund this thing."

But to secure financing, Ericson said he needs an agreement with the city and county.

"We'd want a binding letter of intent that said if we get our funding, we will be able to do this -- and this is what the terms will be," he said.

"We have talked to a number of local business entities that are very, very interested in the project -- once we can solidify our deal with either the city and county, or Bass Pro."

For the foreseeable future, though, the city and county appear likely to pursue Bass Pro exclusively.

But would Ericson walk away at some point?

"I'm sure there would be a time when that would come," he said. "It hasn't come yet. We're still very interested in the project."

PYRAMID ADVENTURE

The project: A theme park with rides and other attractions inside The Pyramid, proposed by local marketing executive Greg Ericson, president and CEO of the Ericson Group.

The price: $150 million, with two-thirds going for rides and attractions and one-third for demolition and construction.

The plan: Ericson is seeking a binding agreement with the city and county, enabling him to approach potential investors. He hopes to develop the park in partnership with Bass Pro Shops.

The prospects: Bass Pro has said it would consider Ericson's proposal. The outdoors retailer's negotiations with the city and county, however, have priority.