Modern day Noah's Ark costing $91.5 million to open in July 2016

 Facebook

A modern-day Noah's Ark being built in Kentucky by creationists is on track to being completed by next year.

The public will have 40 days and 40 nights to experience the 510 foot vessel themselves in July 2016, it was announced on Thursday.

"Some supporters who have been watching the construction of the huge ship have said they believe this Ark will be one of the 'wonders of the modern world'," said Ken Ham, president and founder of Answers in Genesis (AiG), the group behind the plan.

Built according to the dimensions provided in the Genesis account of the boat's construction, the vessel will be 510 ft long, according to AiG.

They are expecting 1.6 million visitors to the ark in the first year.

AiG is a "young earth creationist" group, who believe the earth was created by God around 6,000 years ago.

The project is affiliated with the Creation Museum, which seeks to bring "the Bible to life", according to its website.

The website expressed the hope that "through the construction of a massive full-scale Noah's ark, the Ark Encounter will present America and other nations with a reminder about the Bible's account of the ark."

On the website, Ham said "reminders in the culture which helped ensure that people would not forget the truths of God's Word" were increasingly being removed from "our western culture, including the US".

The hope is that rebuilding the ark would provide "a sign (or a reminder) to this world that God's Word is true".

In a press release, Answers in Genesis have said that it has raised $80 million of the $91.5 million estimated total needed for the project to be completed.

related articles
The great dinosaur scam: Christian mother launches Mumsnet tirade
The great dinosaur scam: Christian mother launches Mumsnet tirade

The great dinosaur scam: Christian mother launches Mumsnet tirade

Can Christians believe in dinosaurs?
Can Christians believe in dinosaurs?

Can Christians believe in dinosaurs?

Professor at Christian college resigns after it insists on anti-evolution statement
Professor at Christian college resigns after it insists on anti-evolution statement

Professor at Christian college resigns after it insists on anti-evolution statement

One in three US adults do not believe in evolution, says new survey

One in three US adults do not believe in evolution, says new survey

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.