Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Richard Pretlow named new park president at Six Flags America &
Fire engulfs Playland’s Castaway Cove
A
January 30 morning fire sent plumes of smoke billowing into the air as it burned at Playland’s Castaway Cove, an amusement
park on the Ocean City, New Jersey, Boardwalk. Black smoke could be seen from miles away. Playland’s Castaway Cove’s arcade and
offices, as well as the connected Hamburger Construction Company and Dairy Queen, suffered extensive damage from the west wind-fuelled fire. Neighbouring buildings were spared. The park’s signature outdoor amusements that tower over the
Boardwalk such as the Gale Force roller-coaster and Double Shot thrill ride appeared untouched by the flames. There appeared to be no structural damage to the boardwalk. But the decorative pirate ship, located above the boardwalk entrance of the arcade, was destroyed. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. Guests were assured on the park’s Facebook
page that they will rebuild and be open in the Spring. None of the buildings were occupied at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries.
Auction ordered for Gillian’s Wonderland Pier is in foreclosure. The court has ordered the
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, Ocean City, New Jersey,
property be put up for auction. However, owner Jay Gillian says that the 92-year-old landmark amusement park will reopen for the 2021 season. He said that although the pier was affected by the pandemic, it had secured financing and would be reopening on 27 March. According to the court judgement, Gillian
defaulted on three loans totaling about $7.9 million
Hurricane Harbor Richard Pretlow has been named park president of Six Flags America theme park and Hurricane Harbor waterpark. Pretlow succeeds Rick Howarth who was promoted to a new role of vice president of procurement after more than 10 years at the helm of Six Flags America. Pretlow most recently served as director of in-park services at Six Flags Great Escape Resort, located in Lake George, New York. “We are thrilled to have Richard guiding the
Six Flags America team into the next decade of growth for this dynamic property. He brings a fresh perspective, proven track record of success, an understanding of the market, and a collaborative leadership style that will serve him well as park president,” said Six Flags regional vice president of park operations, Chris Thorpe. “I am confident he will make an immediate, positive impact as we continue our work to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic stronger than ever.” Pretlow began his theme park career in
with the Pier as collateral. Much of the debt was accrued before the pandemic, with a loan of about $7.3 million due in May 2017. The remainder of the debt was accumulated since then as Gillian took out two more loans without paying off the first. Because of the pandemic Ocean City was forced
to close its beaches and boardwalk just as the tourist season started last year. The pier did reopen later in the summer with adjustments for hygiene and distancing rules in place.
2009 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, in culinary operations, where he found his passion for the theme park industry. After graduating from Hampton University in 2010, he relocated to Langhorne, Pennsylvania, as culinary operations manager at Busch departing to become the revenue manager for the Crayola Experience, based in Easton, Pennsylvania. He joined the Six Flags team in 2018 as director of in-park services at Six Flags Great Escape Resort, prior to being promoted to this latest role. Pretlow also holds an MBA from Norwich University. “It is an honour to join the vibrant and
innovative Six Flags America & Hurricane Harbor team,” said Pretlow. “We have made major investments in this park in recent years and we are well-positioned for long- term growth. I look forward to working with the team to continually enhance the guest experience and solidify our status as the preferred entertainment provider in the Delaware, Maryland, Virginia area.” Six Flags America will open for its 22nd
season on March 6, 2021, the earliest opening in its history.
20 WINTER PART 2 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
