US
Freestyle owner ‘needs more time’
Bloomberg unveils Coney Island plans
NEW York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and developer Central Amusement International have released details for a new amusement park on three city-owned parcels in Coney Island that will open by May 31, 2010. Under the terms of the development
agreement, CAI will lease the parcels, totalling 6.2 acres, for 10 years and invest nearly US$30m to build and operate the amusement park, which will feature both traditional and cutting-edge rides from Zamperla. The new amusement park will be built in
two stages. This summer, CAI will open Luna Park at Coney Island, featuring 19 rides. And by summer 2011, the Scream Zone at Coney Island will provide additional attractions, including two custom roller coasters, a human slingshot ride and go-karts. In total, 23 new rides will be installed, designed to celebrate Coney Island’s unique
history and character while adding modern amusements. In its inaugural season, Luna Park is projected to create 247 new jobs in Coney Island, increasing to 330 full and part- time positions in 2011, with an emphasis on local hiring. “Coney Island remains one of the most
known and beloved neighbourhoods around the world, but for decades its famed amusement park has dwindled to just a tiny fraction of what it once was. This summer, we’re reversing that trend,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “As part of our administration’s
revitalisation plan for Coney Island, we’re making necessary infrastructure investments and joining with CAI to build new amusements that celebrate Coney Island’s historic past while featuring modern rides.”
All change for Six Flags
AS it nears the scheduled end of its restructuring process, North American theme park operator Six Flags said it has decided to reject its lease with the Kentucky State Fair Board relating to the Kentucky Kingdom resort in Louisville. In recent weeks, Six Flags had proposed a
new lease arrangement to the board that would have purportedly “enhanced the viability and future” of the park. The proposals were not accepted and as a result the park will cease operations. “We are deeply disappointed to be leaving
such a great fan base in the greater metropolitan area of Louisville and we are grateful to the thousands of employees at Kentucky Kingdom and the millions of guests for their dedication, support and loyalty over the years,” said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags president and CEO. “This action relates solely to Kentucky
Kingdom,” he continued. “The substantial lease payment has been a significant hurdle for this park in recent years. Our other parks, which reside largely on company-owned land, will be completely unaffected and will open as scheduled for the full 2010 season.”
6
Creative Works focuses on versatility
EMBRACING the cold weather that has hit the eastern US region of late, Creative Works Theme Factory has pulled focus on a versatile product that seeks to bring some warmth into family fun centres around the world. Party Peelz provide removable “windows”
for party rooms and family entertainment centres. Operators can simply stick the themed windows around their venues for however long they wish, before peeling them off and replacing them with others. “We were thinking about creating themed
life-size igloos for kids in the north-east, but figured the snow would eventually subside and the weather would turn,” said Creative Works founder, Jeff Schilling. “Instead, we are sticking to what we do best - creating great themed attractions for the entertainment, retail and restaurant markets.”
FREESTYLE Music Park owner FPI Entertainment has asked a US judge for more time to pay off the US$570,000 debt it acquired following the purchase of Hard Rock Park last year. In court documents filed this week,
Freestyle’s attorney said the park has always intended to pay off the outstanding debt, but FPI had been unable to make the payments due to difficult trading conditions brought about by the weak economy. FPI bought the former Hard Rock Park
out of bankruptcy last year for $25m. It re- branded the 220,000sq.m park, created a children’s section and added new rides.
NEWS
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