Great expectations: Great Wolf says it will be poised for big growth when economy improves

The stock price has plummeted, there was a proxy fight for seats on the company's board and an economic downturn has families in all income brackets re-evaluating vacation plans.Madison-based Great Wolf Resorts also has had trouble refinancing a construction loan for one of its Ohio resorts and late last year closed its Great Wolf Lodge in Lake Delton for 10 days due to a lack of business.But the company's new chief executive officer is excited about taking the Great Wolf brand of water slides, spas and indoor entertainment to other locales in North America and around the globe.The last two years of turmoil, according to Kim Schaefer, have made the company stronger and better focused."Like any growth company, we've certainly had our challenges, no doubt about it," said Schaefer, who has been with the company since 1995 and began her CEO duties Jan. 1."I've been here through it all and we've been able to grow and learn from those experiences. We've taken the best from it and we've learned and moved forward. We're much stronger and our eyes are open wide