The sinkhole that opened at 5:39 Wednesday morning, February 12, 2014, beneath the Skydome at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green is so fascinating that it has boosted attendance and sales dramatically. 

WGNS' Bart Walker and his friend John Todd, both Corvette enthusiasts, took a jaunt to the Kentucky town to check-out the sinkhole. Walker exclaimed, "It's huge, and the damage to the Vette's was much more than expected. What you see in the media does not come close to revealing the extensive damage done."

Value of the 8 Corvettes that were swallowed by the sinkhole exceeds $1-million. The giant pit has become a magnetic attraction for visitors to the museum. 

The "Rest of the Sinkhole Story"

Corvette Museum's Marketing and Communications Director Katie Frassinelli (left photo) showed John and Bart around, and pointed out that the cave is even deeper than what you see. It's a massive oval that is 60-feet long, 45-feet wide and 33-feet deep. That's huge, but that's just the surface. The museum hired spelunkers to go down and they discovered a huge cave. 

She explained, "The sinkhole was the result of the cave's ceiling collapsing." 

WGNS asked if they had considered creating a safe entrance to the cave, make user friendly walkways through the deep cavern and creating another attraction at the museum?

We didn't get a straight "yes" or "no", but the pause and twinkle in her eye led us to believe that was an issue that is still unresolved. 

There has been a 59 per cent increase in visitors from March to June, when compared to the same period last year. In addition, gift shop sales have increased 58 per cent, Corvette Museum memberships have exploded 72 percent, along with a 65 per cent increase in overall revenue over the 4-month period. 

In light of the positive impact the sinkhole has had on attendance, the museum's directors have voted to leave it in tact for now. 

To see videos of the sinkhole from the Corvette Museum CLICK HERE

Here is the full conversation Bart had with Katie at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green . . .

(12:39)

WGNS has Corvette ties that goes deeper than enthusiasts. For those of you who have lived in the 'Boro for awhile, you may remember the way WGNS used to quickly get to the scene of local news (see below).

Corvette Museum Admission Prices: $10 Adults, $8 Seniors, $5 Youth (6-16), Under 6 Free, Family (same household) $25, Active Military Free. Various discounts and coupons available. Group rates offered for 15 or more people.

Hours: Open everyday, 8am-5pm Central. The last admission tickets will be sold at 4:30pm CT. 

Directions: If you're using GPS, their street address is 350 Corvette Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42101.  Take I-65 to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Exit 28. Turn left at first stoplight. Enter at Gate A or Gate B.

Contact Info: 800-538-3883 or 270-781-7973