shepaul
09-06-2004, 18:14
Thought this might be of interest which I found trawling the net, if like me you were saddened by the sudden closure of Cypress Gardens. Maybe someone out there has even more up to date info.
<blockquote id='quote' class='ffs'>quote:For Immediate Release 2/24/2004
Wild Adventures Announces:
The Adventure Heads South
Deal Closed Today On Cypress Gardens Property
Kent Buescher, New Owner of Cypress Gardens Adventures Park, Announces
Plans for Reopening Florida’s Oldest Theme Park
Winter Haven, FL- “We did it!” Simple words uttered by Kent Buescher to an expectant crowd triggered applause, cheering and maybe even a few tears of joy and relief.
“It” referred to the closing of the very complicated sale of Cypress Gardens, marking the end of a ten-month crusade to save one of Florida’s oldest theme parks. It took six hours to hammer out the final details in the transfer of property, in which Polk County, the state of Florida, the Trust For Public Land and Georgia-based entrepreneur Kent Buescher all played a part. The end result? Cypress Gardens Adventure Park opening in the summer of 2004.
“Cypress Gardens is a rare piece of Florida’s modern history,” said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a press release after the sale. “Because of the unwavering public support and the joint effort by state, local and private partners to save this cultural icon, Florida’s first theme park will live again.”
It was a long and winding road from the day of the park’s sudden closing last April to the much happier closing today, marked by grass roots efforts, email campaigns, numerous phone calls and trips to the capital to plead the park’s case. In August, the Trust For Public Land stepped in and bought the park from First Gardens L.C. and promptly started the search for a permanent owner. In the end, Polk County purchased the original 30 acres of botanical gardens for $2.5 million, the state DEP purchased an $11 million conservation easement on the entire property and Kent Buescher purchased 120 acres for $7 million and will operate the entire park.
In addition to the purchase price, Buescher has committed to investing $35 million in refurbishing, renovating and updating the park to appeal to children of all ages. Many of the historical aspects of the park will return, including the Botanical gardens, Southern belles, ski shows, butterfly arboretum, animals and the Snively mansion. They will be carefully blended with new elements such as rides, including roller coasters, a variety of all-star concerts and a water park to create an exciting experience that will attract families to visit time and time again. “Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will be a celebration of Florida and it’s colorful history,” says Buescher. “We want to create the feel of an old Florida Boardwalk, making the park reminiscent of the fabulous gardens of Europe that incorporate the beauty of nature with the appeal of rides,” he continued. “Ride selection has been carefully considered with this in mind and we will also be displaying animals that are indigenous to Florida.”
As much of a journey as it has been to get to this point, the work is just beginning. Much remains to be accomplished before the park reopens this summer. More details will be released in the upcoming weeks, including a master plan for the property and information on the rides.
</blockquote id='quote'>
<blockquote id='quote' class='ffs'>quote:For Immediate Release 2/24/2004
Wild Adventures Announces:
The Adventure Heads South
Deal Closed Today On Cypress Gardens Property
Kent Buescher, New Owner of Cypress Gardens Adventures Park, Announces
Plans for Reopening Florida’s Oldest Theme Park
Winter Haven, FL- “We did it!” Simple words uttered by Kent Buescher to an expectant crowd triggered applause, cheering and maybe even a few tears of joy and relief.
“It” referred to the closing of the very complicated sale of Cypress Gardens, marking the end of a ten-month crusade to save one of Florida’s oldest theme parks. It took six hours to hammer out the final details in the transfer of property, in which Polk County, the state of Florida, the Trust For Public Land and Georgia-based entrepreneur Kent Buescher all played a part. The end result? Cypress Gardens Adventure Park opening in the summer of 2004.
“Cypress Gardens is a rare piece of Florida’s modern history,” said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in a press release after the sale. “Because of the unwavering public support and the joint effort by state, local and private partners to save this cultural icon, Florida’s first theme park will live again.”
It was a long and winding road from the day of the park’s sudden closing last April to the much happier closing today, marked by grass roots efforts, email campaigns, numerous phone calls and trips to the capital to plead the park’s case. In August, the Trust For Public Land stepped in and bought the park from First Gardens L.C. and promptly started the search for a permanent owner. In the end, Polk County purchased the original 30 acres of botanical gardens for $2.5 million, the state DEP purchased an $11 million conservation easement on the entire property and Kent Buescher purchased 120 acres for $7 million and will operate the entire park.
In addition to the purchase price, Buescher has committed to investing $35 million in refurbishing, renovating and updating the park to appeal to children of all ages. Many of the historical aspects of the park will return, including the Botanical gardens, Southern belles, ski shows, butterfly arboretum, animals and the Snively mansion. They will be carefully blended with new elements such as rides, including roller coasters, a variety of all-star concerts and a water park to create an exciting experience that will attract families to visit time and time again. “Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will be a celebration of Florida and it’s colorful history,” says Buescher. “We want to create the feel of an old Florida Boardwalk, making the park reminiscent of the fabulous gardens of Europe that incorporate the beauty of nature with the appeal of rides,” he continued. “Ride selection has been carefully considered with this in mind and we will also be displaying animals that are indigenous to Florida.”
As much of a journey as it has been to get to this point, the work is just beginning. Much remains to be accomplished before the park reopens this summer. More details will be released in the upcoming weeks, including a master plan for the property and information on the rides.
</blockquote id='quote'>