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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
March 13, 2008
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ITPS has proudly served the leisure industry since 1983. Visit http://www.interthemepark.com for more information.
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Amusement/Theme Park News
Kings Dominion to debut new roller coaster in late spring DOSWELL - Kings Dominion is adding a 14th roller coaster to its collection this spring. Named Dominator, the 4,210-foot steel coaster will be the longest floorless coaster in the world and have the largest roller coaster loop.
Six Flags open for season It's been more than a year since Six Flags Marine World became Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, and park officials say the rebranding is paying off in increased attendance. "Our policy is to not release attendance numbers, but attendance was up significantly over last year," spokeswoman Nancy Chan said of the theme park, which opened for the season March 8.
Adventure Park may still have legal problems Now that the Town of New Market has successfully annexed Adventure Park USA, county officials have dropped the zoning issues they had with the roller coaster. But the park may not be out of the legal woods. On Jan. 15, the Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury cited park owner Larry Stottlemyer for not having a business license or a license to operate a restaurant at the park, according to court documents.
Air rights could help theme park lift off Developers of a proposed $1.5-billion theme park in Calverton are considering an innovative way to get approval for the park's centerpiece - a 350-foot-tall indoor ski mountain. Mitch Pally, an attorney for Riverhead Resorts, told several Suffolk legislators yesterday that it may be possible to transfer air rights from one part of the 755-acre site to the manmade mountain, essentially giving up air rights in other parts of the park.
Co-workers mourn death of construction worker OSHA investigates safety policies WADSWORTH -- Co-workers of the construction worker killed Tuesday at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee were mourning his death Wednesday. Campanella & Sons management canceled all work on Wednesday, as counselors helped employees cope with the loss of Thomas Lee, a 20-year mechanic with the Wadsworth company.
Mermaids Survive in Florida as Weeki Wachee Becomes State Park March 13 (Bloomberg) -- Florida is throwing a life preserver to the mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs. The mermaids can continue fluttering their tails in choreographed underwater shows at the park, as they have for 60 years.
Loan repayment snags bankruptcy A court may determine whether money repaid to Village Charters before Wild West World went under can be reclaimed. The largest preference action in the Wild West World bankruptcy remains locked in a legal tussle and headed for a possible August trial if it can't be resolved. Negotiations continue between the park's bankruptcy estate and Village Charters over $100,000 the company received almost a year ago in partial payment of a personal loan.
Sutton Coldfield schoolboy opens theme park ride SIX-year-old Thomas Land will have the ride of his life on Saturday – when he opens a theme park attraction which shares the same name. For the schoolboy from Sutton Coldfield has been chosen to open the new Thomas Land – which features everything relating to Thomas the Tank Engine – at Drayton Manor Theme Park in Staffordshire.
Waterpark News
Waterparks making a big splash Orlando's SeaWorld resort is hoping to make a big slash next month when it officially opens its first water park, Aquatica. The South Seas-inspired attraction, which will pair wet-and-wild thrills and spills with up-close animal interactions, may be one of the more ambitious new kids' attractions to hit the sunny south recently. But it's far from the only sun-and-sand spot where waves are churning these days.
Water park eyes reopening after chlorine testing The CoCo Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft Hotel hopes to reopen as early as Saturday after it improves chlorine testing, water quality, and staffing levels ordered by state and local health officials. more stories like thisThe indoor water park was ordered closed on March 5 after local residents, including school and Scout troops, reported chemical burns, skin rashes, and other irritations after swimming in the resort's three pools and hot tub.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Babies hatch at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies The stork has definitely made a stop at Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. A brand new exhibit at the Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies in Gatlinburg is giving folks a lesson in the birds and the bees and the sea horses.
Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies Receives AZA Accreditation; Meets the World’s Toughest Requirements GATLINBURG, Tenn. (March 12, 2008) – Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s (AZA) Accreditation Commission. “Only the very best zoos and aquariums in the country can meet the tough AZA accreditation standards,” said Joe Choromanski, Ripley’s VP of Husbandry.
Aquarium plans variety of events in coming weeks The Oregon Coast Aquarium will offer Home School Day, Monday, March 17. "This is a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy themselves at the beach while learning about marine science and spending time together," said Aquarium Public Relations Manager Cindy Hanson. "Our educators are really special and deeply dedicated to inspiring kids to connect with nature."
R.I. Man Named Salisbury Zoo Director A Rhode Island man who designs zoo exhibits has been named director of the Salisbury Zoo, city officials said Wednesday. Joel M. Hamilton of Providence has worked with his zoo design firm since 2001. He has worked with eight zoos in the U.S. and Mexico, drafting master plans and creating exhibits, he said.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Board slows Pyramid sale vote Some leaders question motive for selling out to city Shelby County officials haven't washed their hands of The Pyramid -- at least for now. A last-minute proposal backed by both Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton and County Mayor AC Wharton to sell the county's share of The Pyramid, the Mid-South Coliseum and the Liberty Bowl to the City of Memphis caused some County Commissioners to question underlying motives on Wednesday and then defer a vote on the measure.
Please Touch prepares for its big move If a cultural organization's every act of ambition is to some degree a leap of faith, the Please Touch Museum is inching up to the greatest yawning gulf in its history. In October, the 32-year-old children's museum will leave its squat, plain-Jane Center City brick home near the Franklin Institute for the grand marbled volumes of a renovated Memorial Hall in Fairmount Park.
Other News
Wet 'N' Mild: Businesses worry about drop in turnout this Spring Break Hotels across South Padre Island are registering occupancy as low as 30 percent to 40 percent, said Richard Franke Sr., president of the town's economic development corporation. This time last year, they would have been nearly booked solid. "I don't know whether that's a trend we're going to start to see, where kids have a lot more options of other places to go," Franke said. "Probably it will be."
Spring Break Business Down In Daytona Beach DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- It's bad business in Daytona Beach. Bike Week is barely over and spring break is starting, but business owners aren't happy. The economy is the first thing everyone is blaming. Gas prices nearing $3.50 aren't exactly in a college student's budget or a family's for that matter, so there are lots of "Welcome Breakers" signs at places where you used to need a reservation and now you could get a room.
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Contact:
Shawn M. Haas
Vice President of Retail, Operations and Information Technology
International Theme Park Services, Inc
2195 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-381-6131 Phone
513-381-2756 Fax
http://www.interthemepark.com
shawnhaas@interthemepark.com
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ITPS Services
ITPS provides a full spectrum of services to all types of attractions no matter the size, small to large.
Below are some of the services that ITPS' experienced team of experts can provide:
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Call 513-381-6131 for more information on how ITPS can assist your facility!
25 Years...
Through the good, the bad and the ugly, International Theme Park Services, Inc. (“ITPS”) continues to provide the industry with its skilled services internationally.
ITPS celebrates its 25th year in 2008 and has served over 450 projects in over 40 countries! Considered a leader in the industry by the many companies who have used ITPS’ services, ITPS is still growing and offering its knowledge and experience to every continent. Dennis Speigel, President of ITPS, is a past president of the IAAPA and remains active on their Board of Directors. He is called upon by people throughout the industry to advise and recommend on projects. A leader today and for the future, ITPS is there when you need assistance.
Feasibility, design, pre-opening planning, business audits, on-site training and management…ITPS is still leading the industry into the future.
Leisure Capital Resources
International Theme Park Services provides merger, acquisition, financial, and strategic advisory services to public and private entertainment companies that wish to acquire or sell a business, raise equity capital, raise or restructure debt, or sell real estate.
Contact: Dennis Speigel at 513-381-6131 or Howard Kahn at affiliated Leisure Capital Resources in New York at 516-621-5183.