PW Sept 09 P8-9:PW Sept 09 P8-9.qxd 26/08/2009 12:47 Page 9
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Great City Attractions
Park Law
Great City Attractions is the name of a new company that becomes
the world’s leading operator of observation wheels. Formed by a
by Heather M Eichenbaum Esq
merger between the Great Wheel Corporation and World Tourist
Attractions, the new enterprise boasts a portfolio of 11 permanent
Park Security: Lawfully
and semi-permanent rides ranging from 40 to 165-metres in height.
The company plans to open a number of new wheels over the Enforcing the Rules
next few years including the record-breaking 208-metre Great
Beijing Wheel, 43-metres taller than the world’s current tallest Ferris
Amusement parks, like most other businesses open to the public,
Wheel, the Singapore Flyer. Plans are also underway for permanent
host a wide array of visitors. Some of those visitors, although
constructions in Orlando and Berlin.
"invited," may be unsavory. In addition to invited guests, parks also
Founded by UK leisure operators Elliot Hall and Jonathan Shipley,
face the possibility of having to address individuals who are either
World Tourist Attractions’ (WTA) first ride was a 60-metre tall Ferris
uninvited or who have worn out their welcome. Confronting these
Wheel by Ronald Bussink, sited in the English city of Birmingham for
individuals generally involves park security personnel.
the winter of 2003/4. Similar rides followed in a number of
Park security must follow local laws regarding discrimination,
European cities including Manchester, York, London, Glasgow,
wrongful detention and false arrest. Individuals may not be
Belfast, Paris, Brussels, Dresden and Seville.
discriminated against on the basis of race, age, gender, nationality
Taking their lead from the London Eye, Bussink’s designers refined
or religion. Moreover, although security may be inclined to detain
what was a once classic carnival ride to provide a minimalist white
individuals who have, or are believed to have, committed a crime
aesthetic, equipped with air-conditioned gondolas. Requiring no
within the park, special attention must be paid to avoid violating a
foundations, the wheels offer more flexibility that permanent
person's civil rights when detention is exercised.
structures and have allowed WTA accommodate wheels on sites and
When a guest is detained, local law enforcement should be
for timescales to suit its partners’ wishes.
called immediately. Under no circumstances other than imminent
The Great Wheel Corporation (GWC), based in Singapore,
threat of life should security personnel be authorised to handcuff (or
opened its first ride in 2005 with the Singapore Flyer. Last year, WTA
otherwise physically restrain) or search a patron. Once law
also began operation of a permanent ride when it took over the
enforcement arrives, it must be allowed to take over the
running of the 120-metre Southern Star in Melbourne, Australia,
investigation and make decisions regarding further detention or
which reopens in 2010 after extended maintenance.
arrest of the patron.
Serving as joint chairman of Great City Attractions are Elliot Hall
Although we generally think of only police as being able to
(ex-WTA) and Florian Bollen (ex-GWC) who, along with Jonathan
"arrest" someone, in many jurisdictions, "arrest" is defined as no
Shipley, are also founding members and majority shareholders. Non-
more than detaining someone against his or her will. Thus, falsely
executive board members include Jon Shipley Snr, Rob Roger and Dr
accusing and detaining a patron – or accusing them without
Thomas Bone-Winkel. The group is expected to establish new
sufficient evidence – may well result in a lawsuit against the park.
headquarters in London.
Of course, that lawsuit will be more compelling if the patron was
“Great City Attractions is a forward thinking company delivering
man-handled or searched in the process.
stylish and uplifting leisure experiences to tens of thousands of
Finally, whether to allow security personnel to be armed is a
visitors every day,” says Elliot Hall. “We can now go to work
decision that must take into account both local law and the park's
operating giant observation wheels in all areas of the market.”
best interests. Even if firearms are allowed in your venue or locale,
The new company has a value in excess of £300 million
serious consideration should be given to the implications and the
($508m/
"worst case scenario" if you allow security personnel to carry
Euro.186357m), which it hopes to grow to £3 billion within five
years. Instrumental in executing the merger was the ABN Amro bank,
weapons. A concealed firearm can be dislodged or even
with further backing
discharged if jarred. Overzealous, or even well-intentioned, security
coming from Sequoia
personnel might choose to "pull" the weapon to address a problem
Private Wealth
guest, thereby escalating the situation. In either scenario, an
Management and
innocent bystander could become a victim; clearly a significant risk
Delbrück Bethmann
and no doubt a public relations nightmare for any park.
Maffei.
In short, an unruly patron should almost always simply be
New wheels ranging
escorted from the park without physical contact. Where contact is
in height from 40 to 60-
necessary to ensure the safety of park employees and/or other
metres have opened
guests, the ejection it should be accomplished quickly and
during the last 12
professionally, without any excessive force. Where a patron must be
months in Brisbane,
detained and law enforcement called, step back and let those best
Perth, Copenhagen,
trained take over. And, as with all incidents, don't rely on others to
Kühlungsborn
document the incident – be sure a thorough incident report and
(Germany) and Weston-
witness statements are secured to combat any lawsuit that might
Super-Mare and
result from the incident.
Sheffield (England).
Heather Eichenbaum is an attorney with Spector Gadon & Rosen PC, located
in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and Florida. Clients include Six Flags,
Left to right: GCA directors
Steel Pier, Gillian’s Wonderland, Holiday World and Reithoffer Shows. If you
Jonatathan Shipley, Florian have a question for a future column, Heather can be reached at +1 215-
Bollen and Elliot Hall 241-8856 or heichenbaum@lawsgr.com
SEPTEMBER 2009 9
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