Another USA Amusement Park Needs Help to Stay Open

[porterm]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd post another item that was posted to the European Coaster club's message list yesterday. Maybe we can help with this one.

Martin


Folks,

The Western PA ACE region sent this out. It probably can't hurt to have the
support of coaster/park enthusiasts worldwide!

Derek Shaw
---------

Fellow ACEers:

A park in our Western Pennsylvania ACE Region is struggling to stay
open. The present public-interest operators of Conneaut Lake Park have been
running it successfully and financially responsibly. But with such a
seasonal operation, and seasonal cash-flow, a loan is always needed to
get the season underway in the Spring. The park is having a tough time
getting that loan this year.

The current plan is for the park to sell a small portion of lakefront
property to be used for some type of resort housing. Technically the
park would still own the property and would lease it for 999 years. Note
that this does not affect the lakefront property that involves the beach,
Beach Club, and Hotel Conneaut. This part of the property was not part of
the working amusement park. It included two structures, including the Flynn
House, which had been damaged by fire. Keep in mind that this history of
Conneaut Lake Park has always included vacation homes and cottages on
Park property.

The sale of this property would generate a lot of cash to help the park,
which plans to open The Bug and miniature train rides this year (as
long as the park opens). A bank loan based on this sale is a possibility,
but that isn't looking good.

Your ACE region supports the measures of CLP's management to sell this
property to support the park, and we encourage you to click the link
below and sign the petition, which reads as follows:

To: Judge Anthony Vardaro
Local businesses and members of the community are petitioning the
custodian, Leroy Stearns, to show their support for the sale of the 3.3
acres at Conneaut Lake Park which will secure a loan for the future plans of
the Park.

http://www.petitiononline.com/3822122/petition.html

Thanks for supporting our region's traditional amusement parks.

~The Fun Team
Western Pennsylvania Regional Reps




PS Interesting to note that converse support is required with the above park compared to Dreamland's main issues. (I guess the US park has abundant land compared to Dreamland's somewhat "land-locked" situation).

PPS In case anyone is unaware, "ACE" stands for American Coaster Enthusiasts in the above item.

[lutonlad]

can this topic not be posted on the amusement and theme park pages on the main page, as this forum is strictly for dreamland only. Too many posts are being made recently within this forum related to non dreamland issues. Some members who post in the other topics are more likely to support this if placed in the relevant section, otherwise you are only going to get a handfull of save dreamland campaigners helping, rather than severall hundred members of the whole forum, sorry just an idea in gaining more interest.

Gary

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

I'm sure an administrator can move it.

I've been there. They have one of the last 4 remaining TumbleBug rides and a GREAT old wooden coaster that must be at least 80 years old.

[David Ellis]

The Blue Streak was built in 1937, so it is not quite 80 yet...69 this year.

David.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Good! You saved me the trouble of looking it up on the registry.