Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
return on the investment,” Anderson recalls. “But when we had good weather the attraction was packed, so that was a clear indicator that we were on the right track.” The park managed to turn the corner and started bringing in more family attractions. A Yo-Yo swing ride from Chance made its debut in 2004 and, thanks to the success of Saturation Station, two gigantic new Tunnel Twister slides were added to the waterpark in 2006. Quassy celebrated its centennial in 2008 with the addition of a Galleon (pirate ship) by Zamperla and a three-lane family fun slide from Childress. Now, with the new five-year plan, the park will invest around $5 million. “As the economy tanked, a lot of people were wondering if we would really be able to follow through with our plans,” Anderson observes. “We simply couldn’t roll over and play dead – we had worked too hard to get this masterplan off the ground.”
In 2009 the park opened a new main ticket booth fashioned after the trolley station which once served the historic property. It was a public statement and proof that Quassy was ready to make good on its plans new attractions would follow in the years to come. “Other businesses were curtailing simply to stay afloat,” notes Frantzis. “Unfortunately a lot of people lost their jobs. We could have thrown in the towel and no one would have though twice about it.”
Towering Success
But the park forged ahead and in the fall of 2009 brokered a deal to purchase the drop tower, which proved an instant hit when it opened the following season. Complete with an LED lighting system, it looked a picture after dark. Yet uncertainty still hovered over the remainder of the 2010 season as the struggling economy continued to make headlines. “We didn’t know what to expect going into 2010, except we had put a lot of money into a new ride,” Frantzis recalls.
The summer of 2010 turned out to be very successful for the park as dry weather prevailed and guests didn’t shy away from visiting. Business was brisk enough that by mid- July Quassy broke ground on the new wooden coaster – the largest undertaking ever for the 20-acre park. “We had anticipated starting after Labor Day [in September], so not to disrupt our day-to-day operations,” Anderson says. “As it turned out, our early start generated a lot more interest among our guests as they could see work being done.”
The project has also pumped a lot of money into the local economy, creating work for excavators, crane companies and a local construction team. Where possible, local vendors have also been used to supply parts for the ride.
Though it remains as a seasonal business, Quassy Amusement Park has broad economic impact on the local communities. The park employs a full-time sales, office, marketing and maintenance staff. During the six- month operating season, the park hires hundreds of college and high school students as well as adults seeking summer employment. “It’s a rite of passage in our local communities to work at the park when you are in high school,” says Frantzis. “We have had several generations from the same family work here throughout the years. We’re a vital part of the community when it comes to student employment.”
Fun ‘n’ Philanthropy
Other businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shopping complexes, benefit from having the amusement park nearby. Quassy also plays host to numerous community events throughout the course of each season and supports hundreds of others with in- kind donations. “We are philanthropists at heart,” says Frantzis. “During the course of a year we support so many projects here at the park I would have a difficult time naming them all.”
As for the park and its future, the multi-year reinvestment plan calls for additional waterpark attractions, which could be in place within the next couple of years. The two hands-on owners agree that what has been taking shape in recent years is cause for optimism. “The park is generating a great deal of positive attention nowadays,” notes Anderson. “We took the initiative to pave our way in times of uncertainty – setting the bar high for ourselves. We’ve been clearing the hurdles and are excited about what’s in store for the park and our guests.” “Each year there are fewer and fewer family-owned amusement parks left in the country,” adds Frantzis. “We’re a survivor for some very good reasons.”
Quassy’s 2011 season starts on April 23.
www.quassy.com
Ron Gustafson is Quassy Amusement Park’s
marketing and public relations director. A keen historian, he
Wooden Warrior nears completion APRIL 2011 Wooden Warrior during construction
has authored two books and hundreds of articles about the industry. Ron is also the editor of the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ (NEAAPA) newsletter and serves on both IAAPA’s Hall of Fame and marketing committees.
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The SBF drop tower, including LED light effects
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