FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Coconino County Board of Supervisors and County Parks and Recreation Department have teamed with North Pole Experience to transform Ft. Tuthill County Park into Santa’s Compound, bringing northern Arizona families a taste of the North Pole and Santa’s workshop.

The public-private partnership will bring additional winter visitors and tourism dollars to the County Fairgrounds located just south of Flagstaff as North Pole Experience (NPX) relocates its headquarters from Greer to Flagstaff for the 2012 season. Under an agreement with NPX, the County will receive a portion of revenues from the venture, while solidifying Ft. Tuthill County Park as a year-round destination for visitors throughout northern Arizona.

“We are thrilled to provide a new home for this exciting new outlet to provide a unique experience for our families and visitors to Ft. Tuthill County Park,” said County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Lena Fowler. “By partnering with the private sector, we can offer year round opportunities for our residents to experience our parks, while creating a significant economic impact for the County.”

NPX plans to relocate from Greer to Ft. Tuthill Park in 2012 and open from Nov. 16 to Dec. 28. Once open, families will marvel at the colorful lights as they tour Santa’s Workshop, which will be 40 percent larger than his current Greer workshop.

“The immense popularity of the North Pole Experience, along with a focus on maintaining and enhancing the intimate family experience is what led Santa to politely request a larger, more exciting workshop closer to the Valley,” North Pole Experience Owner Scott Pace said. “For many reasons, the NPX workshop quickly outgrew itself and the original location in the remote village of Greer. Our new home in Flagstaff is the perfect setting for Santa’s grand workshop vision and an ideal winter destination for families of Arizona.”

On Jan. 24, the Board of Supervisors approved a 15-year licensing agreement between the County and North Pole Experience to utilize and renovate a building located at Ft. Tuthill County Park. Under the agreement, the County will receive revenue based on ticket sales, in addition to a percentage of revenue from related merchandise sales.

As with previous years in Greer, families will enjoy a magic trolley ride to the North Pole through the magic portal and work side-by-side building toys with Santa and his elves inside his famous workshop and headquarters. Visitors will also attend Elf University and visit Mrs. Claus’s bakery. Another new enhancement this year will include Santa’s introduction to a new and exciting section of his workshop that has never been seen.

NPX has partnered with the Little America Hotel to offer lodging and ticket packages. Single-adult tickets are $55 and tickets for children 18 months and older are $49.00. Those purchasing tickets before March 31 will get a 10-percent discount. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.northpoleexperience.com or call 928-735-7066.