News from all over - Norrbotten / Västerbotten

Officials in northern Sweden have just given the all-clear for the construction of the world's largest moose. Perched on top of a mountain, the 148-foot moose will double as a restaurant and concert hall that can seat up to 350 guests. From its antlers, more than 500 metres above sea level, visitors will be able to enjoy the spectacular view over the valleys below.

For over three years, officials from two northern counties have discussed the implications of having a gigantic moose straddling their border from its vantage point on top of Vithatten mountain. After years of uncertainty, Norrbotten county's decision on Monday to follow Västerbotten's lead and green light the project came as something of a shock to founder Thorbjörn Holmlund.

"This is such unbelievably good news. My whole body is shaking with joy," he told The Local.

As the owner of the Svansele wilderness centre, Holmlund has long organized safaris for visiting tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the king of the forest in its natural habitat. But he himself hoped for nothing more than to see the silhouette of his monumental moose looming over the mountains above.

Though its future may have been in the balance, the oversize moose has long had a name: Stoorn, which translates as 'The Big One' in the local dialect.

With its front legs in Norrbotten and hind quarters in Västerbotten, Stoorn will be be positioned to bite on an enormous pine tree. A lift will then transport visitors through the tree to and from the creature's mouth. The reception area is to be located between the teeth and the tonsils.

In the belly of the beast is the conference center, which - like the concert hall - will also hold up to 350 people. Visitors will be able to move through the levels using spiral staircases located inside the moose's legs.

With the initial paperwork finally out of the way, Stoorn's creator expects construction to begin before the end of the year. And as befits an area in which forestry is the main industry, the moose will be built using local wood. The cost is expected to come in at around $6.5 million and is to be financed entirely through private investment.

"We have so much to offer up here, with all our cheeses, the gold of Lapland, and so much more besides. I think Stoorn will help us attract lots of international tourism," said Holmlund.
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