This SuperSUCKS! Cypress Gardens closing its doors this sunday - General Tiki

T thejab Grand Member (1 year) Tradewinds Apartments, Alameda, CA Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 2992	T thejab Posted posted on Mon, Jun 2, 2003 12:28 PM Someone has expressed interest in purchasing and saving Cypress Gardens. Here's a press release from http://www.savethegardens.com May 29 , 2003 10:00 am EST Wild Adventures CEO Details Vision for Cypress Gardens Also Announces Plans to Honor Passes at Valdosta Park Valdosta, GA - In a press conference held today at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Wild Adventures President and CEO, Kent Buescher, drew a picture of his vision for Cypress Gardens. Prior to detailing his plans, Buescher gave those in attendance a synopsis of his career and the parallels that he shares with Cypress Garden's founder, Dick Pope, Sr. Buescher then detailed the history of Wild Adventures, including it's conception, building and growth. He then clarified that he understood the differences between Wild Adventures and the future of Cypress Gardens. "I understand that Cypress Gardens is located in a much more competitive market occupied by the giants of the theme park world and that Cypress Garden's most recent market was significantly comprised of a senior clientele. The plans, the vision that I am announcing today incorporates those realities. My vision for Cypress Gardens is a vision that celebrates Florida and its rich history." Buescher stated that his company would enhance and preserve the gardens in perpetuity. They would make the ski show a relevant centerpiece of the park's entertainment options, while adding many new ones that would appeal to the entire spectrum of Cypress Garden's guests. A new animal collection representing Florida's vast wildlife will be an additional attraction. Animal keepers on duty during the park's operating hours will be present to answer questions and educate the park's guests. The park's buildings will be completely renovated to restore their former glory. A new entrance and parking lot to provide the necessary drive-up curb appeal will be completed. A section of carefully chosen amusement rides will be incorporated in a manner that invokes the nostalgia of an old-fashioned Florida boardwalk. Some of the existing retail space and the famed Snively Mansion will be utilized to incorporate historical displays, including a celebration of Dick Pope's life and career. A complete water park will be added as well. "It's interesting to note that some of the most famous attractions of Cypress Gardens have been its pools. The Florida Pool is undeniably one of the most famous pools in American history as was the Aquarama Pool, complete with its high dives, built especially for the Queen of water, Esther Williams. Our water park will celebrate that history." In order for this vision to unfold, Wild Adventures must first acquire the park from its present owners. Buescher has met with Florida officials and fundamentally agreed with the state's plan to purchase an environmental easement that will forever preserve the botanical gardens, ski show area and other historical structures. "I have been amazed at the interest that Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, and state officials have in preserving Cypress Gardens and making it a viable, perpetual entity. I hope that we will be able to partner with the state in accomplishing that goal." To achieve that end, the state must approve the use of Florida Forever funds for this purpose. The state will undertake an effort to appraise the property to determine its value and their level of participation. Assuming that this process is completed and Wild Adventures can reach an agreeable purchase price with the current owners, Wild Adventures hopes to take possession, complete a revitalization of the existing structures and construct a new entrance and parking area in time for an October opening. It is anticipated that the ride and water park area would be completed by the summer of 2004. Buescher announced that his company would spend $30-million dollars to make the necessary enhancements and additions to the gardens during its first 12 months of ownership. Finally, Buescher discussed Wild Adventures' plan to honor valid 2003 passes held by Cypress Gardens passholders. "Effective immediately, Cypress Gardens passholders will be given a free Passport 2003 valid for unlimited admissions to Wild Adventures Super Park throughout 2003. To obtain this free pass, Cypress Garden's passholders will only need to present their valid 2003 pass and a picture ID at Wild Adventures' Will Call window. Furthermore, if our plan to purchase Cypress Gardens is successful, a pass will be created allowing unlimited admission to both parks."

Someone has expressed interest in purchasing and saving Cypress Gardens. Here's a press release from http://www.savethegardens.com

May 29 , 2003 10:00 am EST Wild Adventures CEO Details Vision for Cypress Gardens

Also Announces Plans to Honor Passes at Valdosta Park

Valdosta, GA - In a press conference held today at the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Wild Adventures President and CEO, Kent Buescher, drew a picture of his vision for Cypress Gardens. Prior to detailing his plans, Buescher gave those in attendance a synopsis of his career and the parallels that he shares with Cypress Garden's founder, Dick Pope, Sr.

Buescher then detailed the history of Wild Adventures, including it's conception, building and growth. He then clarified that he understood the differences between Wild Adventures and the future of Cypress Gardens.

"I understand that Cypress Gardens is located in a much more competitive market occupied by the giants of the theme park world and that Cypress Garden's most recent market was significantly comprised of a senior clientele. The plans, the vision that I am announcing today incorporates those realities. My vision for Cypress Gardens is a vision that celebrates Florida and its rich history."

Buescher stated that his company would enhance and preserve the gardens in perpetuity. They would make the ski show a relevant centerpiece of the park's entertainment options, while adding many new ones that would appeal to the entire spectrum of Cypress Garden's guests. A new animal collection representing Florida's vast wildlife will be an additional attraction. Animal keepers on duty during the park's operating hours will be present to answer questions and educate the park's guests. The park's buildings will be completely renovated to restore their former glory. A new entrance and parking lot to provide the necessary drive-up curb appeal will be completed. A section of carefully chosen amusement rides will be incorporated in a manner that invokes the nostalgia of an old-fashioned Florida boardwalk. Some of the existing retail space and the famed Snively Mansion will be utilized to incorporate historical displays, including a celebration of Dick Pope's life and career. A complete water park will be added as well.

"It's interesting to note that some of the most famous attractions of Cypress Gardens have been its pools. The Florida Pool is undeniably one of the most famous pools in American history as was the Aquarama Pool, complete with its high dives, built especially for the Queen of water, Esther Williams. Our water park will celebrate that history."

In order for this vision to unfold, Wild Adventures must first acquire the park from its present owners. Buescher has met with Florida officials and fundamentally agreed with the state's plan to purchase an environmental easement that will forever preserve the botanical gardens, ski show area and other historical structures.

"I have been amazed at the interest that Florida's governor, Jeb Bush, and state officials have in preserving Cypress Gardens and making it a viable, perpetual entity. I hope that we will be able to partner with the state in accomplishing that goal."

To achieve that end, the state must approve the use of Florida Forever funds for this purpose. The state will undertake an effort to appraise the property to determine its value and their level of participation. Assuming that this process is completed and Wild Adventures can reach an agreeable purchase price with the current owners, Wild Adventures hopes to take possession, complete a revitalization of the existing structures and construct a new entrance and parking area in time for an October opening. It is anticipated that the ride and water park area would be completed by the summer of 2004. Buescher announced that his company would spend $30-million dollars to make the necessary enhancements and additions to the gardens during its first 12 months of ownership.

Finally, Buescher discussed Wild Adventures' plan to honor valid 2003 passes held by Cypress Gardens passholders. "Effective immediately, Cypress Gardens passholders will be given a free Passport 2003 valid for unlimited admissions to Wild Adventures Super Park throughout 2003. To obtain this free pass, Cypress Garden's passholders will only need to present their valid 2003 pass and a picture ID at Wild Adventures' Will Call window. Furthermore, if our plan to purchase Cypress Gardens is successful, a pass will be created allowing unlimited admission to both parks."

Post #36940 by thejab on Mon, Jun 2, 2003 12:28 PM