Six Flags Ohio General Manager and VP Jack Bateman interviewed on Refreshing Look
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With all of the additions, plans, changes, and everything else happening in the realm known as Six Flags Ohio, who would you want to talk to in order to get the whole and REAL story?
The GM of course, and we did just that to get the goop on the doings at SFO for 2001 and beyond.
From what's going on with the Big Dipper, to X-Flight, to Grizzly Run refurbishment- even a sneak peak or two at what may happen between Six Flags and the former Sea World Ohio... It's all in the interview.
When a park puts in 5 coasters in a two year period, then the park's GM says something like, "We're just scratching the surface of our master plan," you gotta be intrigued.
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It works in the opposite as well. Every time someone says something less than nice about CP, someone counters with a Six Flags comparison, then 6 more people jump on the band wagon. It's like a feeding frenzy. The funny thing is, I could leave this board for ten years, come back, and absolutely none of it will have changed.
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Life's too short! Let's go ride some coasters!
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Life's too short! Let's go ride some coasters!
Some people don't understand the concept of a moderated forum. We welcome opinions here, but we do shape and mold the direction of topics. I for one yawn every time I see these pointless comparisons come up. Meanwhile the west coasters all think the Ohioans need to get a life because of the sheer volume of rides that we have, but instead choose to pick a favorite and start preaching the gospel.
Wouldn't it just make more sense to congratulate Chip on his interview and try to talk about the GM's comments?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
Wouldn't it just make more sense to congratulate Chip on his interview and try to talk about the GM's comments?
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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
The interview with Mr. Bateman was very educational and I must say that Chip and his site has alot of informal information for SFO. I visit his site almost daily and he makes SFO a place that I want to visit. I am hoping that I will visit SFO in the 2001 year. Keep up the good work. And Chip, I know you havent been to SFGAm, so you need to make a trip to Chicago and experience a steel and wood masterpiece in one area along with a great saloon with adult beverages. It will make you feel like you are at home.
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"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls
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"SAVING THE WORLD BEFORE BEDTIME" Powerpuff girls
Not putting down this site or the site in question (SFO:ARL - Which is a great site!), but these arguments are the reason why I only check SFO threads about once every two days.
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
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Matt Lynch
Co-Webmaster, Kennywood Boulevard
http://kennywood.coasterbuzz.com
First off, thanks Jeff for the props. 'Roadkill' did an outstanding job of doing all the work on this piece and we're both just happy to get it out in the open. I don't know if folks will ever know the work it took to get in touch with Mr. Bateman, but it's totally worth it. The guy's actually very personable and easy to talk to- once you get the chance.
Chitown- sounds like my cup of tea up there in Chicago. While my plans this year are pretty much set in stone with a few other parks on the horizons, I keep hearing so much about Raging Bull & Viper I may just have to make the trip regardless. Be able to compare it to Apollo's Chariot & all :)
When we were speaking with Jack, there was almost a twinkle in his eye- I swear it. Coming no more than six days afterwards, the SWO announcement was almost as if on cue. When speaking with him we really got the feel that he had some bigger plans than we've witnessed to this point. Turns out he did huh?
This whole GL road re-route certainly works right into the SWO announcement form the standpoint that once that road is publicly rerouted around the lot, the old GL road becomes an access route between maintenance, warehouses, and the park. What should come shortly is a consolidation of SWO's and SFO's different maintenance, admin buildings and warehouses to a single location- opening up some more space on the SFO side of things to some extent.
Where the current SFO maintenance building and partial warehouse site could be transformed into a park spread for more midway or even a differently themed portion of the park.
Regardless, should be most interesting to see how this pans out. Hopefully we'll get another opportunity to talk with more folks at the park to try to put some of the pieces of this puzzle together.
Chip
Chitown- sounds like my cup of tea up there in Chicago. While my plans this year are pretty much set in stone with a few other parks on the horizons, I keep hearing so much about Raging Bull & Viper I may just have to make the trip regardless. Be able to compare it to Apollo's Chariot & all :)
When we were speaking with Jack, there was almost a twinkle in his eye- I swear it. Coming no more than six days afterwards, the SWO announcement was almost as if on cue. When speaking with him we really got the feel that he had some bigger plans than we've witnessed to this point. Turns out he did huh?
This whole GL road re-route certainly works right into the SWO announcement form the standpoint that once that road is publicly rerouted around the lot, the old GL road becomes an access route between maintenance, warehouses, and the park. What should come shortly is a consolidation of SWO's and SFO's different maintenance, admin buildings and warehouses to a single location- opening up some more space on the SFO side of things to some extent.
Where the current SFO maintenance building and partial warehouse site could be transformed into a park spread for more midway or even a differently themed portion of the park.
Regardless, should be most interesting to see how this pans out. Hopefully we'll get another opportunity to talk with more folks at the park to try to put some of the pieces of this puzzle together.
Chip
I wish to speak upon the actual issue itself and not some argument.
The article itself was without a doubt the best thing I have ever read about SFO. I must say I am quite impressed with the way Mr. Bateman presents himself. This is the first time I have heard actual plans to move the road. I am glad to see that is a top priority with him because that road is really bad, even before when it was GL. Before reading this I was not sure if I would make another visit to SFO, but now because of X and the thought that It sounds like they have a responsible person running the park I think another visit is in store.
The one thing that puzzles me is this. Did they Buy X Flight with no plan on were to put it?
The article itself was without a doubt the best thing I have ever read about SFO. I must say I am quite impressed with the way Mr. Bateman presents himself. This is the first time I have heard actual plans to move the road. I am glad to see that is a top priority with him because that road is really bad, even before when it was GL. Before reading this I was not sure if I would make another visit to SFO, but now because of X and the thought that It sounds like they have a responsible person running the park I think another visit is in store.
The one thing that puzzles me is this. Did they Buy X Flight with no plan on were to put it?
Joe asked:
"The one thing that puzzles me is this. Did they Buy X Flight with no plan on were to put it?"
Well, from what Bateman said in the interview, there was another location that the park could have placed the ride- most likely back by the Grizzly Run area.
That being said though, this road relocation was about as close to a slam dunk that a park can get as far as local resident approval. Bainbridge township wanted the road rerouted in the first place and since they did the whole 'property swap' that Mr. Bateman went over in the interview was no problem at all and easily arranged.
So, while the park may have gone into the 2001 season planning without any absolutes as far as placement for X-Flight, I'm sure the park knew very well that the proposed road relocation would pass without issue. Therefore opening up the space where the ride will now be placed- right at the corner of 43 and where GL road would have met.
Chip
"The one thing that puzzles me is this. Did they Buy X Flight with no plan on were to put it?"
Well, from what Bateman said in the interview, there was another location that the park could have placed the ride- most likely back by the Grizzly Run area.
That being said though, this road relocation was about as close to a slam dunk that a park can get as far as local resident approval. Bainbridge township wanted the road rerouted in the first place and since they did the whole 'property swap' that Mr. Bateman went over in the interview was no problem at all and easily arranged.
So, while the park may have gone into the 2001 season planning without any absolutes as far as placement for X-Flight, I'm sure the park knew very well that the proposed road relocation would pass without issue. Therefore opening up the space where the ride will now be placed- right at the corner of 43 and where GL road would have met.
Chip
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