Skeptics might have initially written off plans for Grand Texas Theme Park, with its equine mascot, its zip line dreams and its petting zoo splendor, but the pipe dream seems to be moving forward.

Investors, headed up by developer Monty Galland, officially closed on approximately 600 acres near the Flying J Travel Plaza in New Caney as first reported by Prime Property. (CultureMap was first to write about the proposed park back on Feb. 20). Now construction is expected to begin on the theme park later this year for a projected completion in the spring of 2015.

"Never before have you had a major theme park depart a market and then be gone for six years with nothing to replace it."

"This is a huge, huge market," said Chuck Hendrix, a former Six Flags executive who managed AstroWorld. He now serves as CEO of Innovation Leisure Partners, the group slated to manage Grand Texas Theme Park.

"Never before have you had a major theme park depart a market and then be gone for six years with nothing to replace it," Hendrix continued.

Cost estimates for the theme park were first anticipated near the $205 million mark, including four dining establishments, a 200- to 400-room hotel plus two limited-service hotels, a reception hall, a chapel, the Big Rivers Water Park, a paintball arena and an amphitheater for live music.

Judging by the enthusiasm of the park's Facebook fans, those amenities will be well received.