ACE donates $10k toward Conneaut Lake Blue Streak, needs $100k to renovate

It's funny to see this, because I was just thinking about it the other day. I wondered how the fund raising efforts had gone (or been going.)

Interesting...

But the spending on the ongoing restoration has been greater than the pledges collected so far, which makes the support of A.C.E. so important, said Jack Moyers, president of the park's board of directors.

Isn't that the exact legacy of this park? Spending beyond the current means seems to be why they can't get this park back off the ground. It would be a shame if they are moving forward with the restoration on the hopes they will get that money back from donations. I don't see that plan ending well.

And here's why I think that....

Moyers and Tim Lisko of Lisko Entertainment said Thursday that the 2010 season started off slow. But both said they are confident that business will pick up heading into the heart of summer, as long as the weather cooperates.

Very nice of ACE. I would give a few bucks if I had it, can't wait to ride Blue Streak!

The (only 30% raised) seems to be in conflict with what a friend of mine from the area told me. So, at thins point, I'm not sure which to believe. My friend told me that there was an anonymous donor helping them and that they were hoping to get the coaster open by the end of July. I guess we'll know who is right within the next month or so.

I thought I recalled from previous discussions regarding individual rides that the ACE bylaws prevented the oprganization from donating to an individual park/company. Am I remembering it wrong, is Conneaut somehow a special case due to its legal situation, did the rules change?

Not saying I'm unhappy in any way, just curious?

There's been some confusion over the years regarding what type of organizations ACE as a non-profit can donate to. It's not the bylaws or constitution that come into question but rather the IRS rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations. Many people thought that ACE could only donate to another 501(c)(3) organization, but that's not true. We can donate to any organization that fulfills ACE's goals, one of which is coaster preservation. It's really no different than the many non-profits out there that give out research grants and scholarships or help fund museums, parks or recreational facilities.

^Thanks for clearing that up...there certainly has been considerable confusion...

P.S. Loved Conneaut, and am very happy that ACE is donating the money... :)

I'm now hearing that CLP is charging just to drive thru the park streets.
Last week, the Kiddieland (childrens) restrooms were destroyed in a fire,
and all of the buildings that have collapsed or have fire damage are still standing, un-excavated.
I was always in the hope that this park would finally get back to some form of normalcy, but except for the annual Pumpkin Fest and the Halloween events, nothing seems to be working for the park or the area in general.
I wouldn't be surprised if eventually the entire park is switched into a city-style park, with no amusements, and some events to bring in the townfolks.

Was the fire an accident?

I haven't heard either way but it's unlikely a restroom burned down on it's own.

Glad to see the money from teh preservation fund finally goign to something. I always send the money form my auction wins to this fund and this is exactly how I wanted to see it used. To rebuild or repair a classic attraction or help a historic park.

Carrie M. said:
It's funny to see this, because I was just thinking about it the other day. I wondered how the fund raising efforts had gone (or been going.)

Interesting...

But the spending on the ongoing restoration has been greater than the pledges collected so far, which makes the support of A.C.E. so important, said Jack Moyers, president of the park's board of directors.

Isn't that the exact legacy of this park? Spending beyond the current means seems to be why they can't get this park back off the ground. It would be a shame if they are moving forward with the restoration on the hopes they will get that money back from donations. I don't see that plan ending well.

And here's why I think that....

Moyers and Tim Lisko of Lisko Entertainment said Thursday that the 2010 season started off slow. But both said they are confident that business will pick up heading into the heart of summer, as long as the weather cooperates.

Spending beyond their means? Sounds like they have a future in government. Perhaps they should ask Fast Eddie Rendell for some advice.

Regardless of what ACE stands for (God knows I have no idea), seems like throwing good money after bad.

That's why we donate to GKTW, Red Cross, Susan G. Komen, etc. :)

RatherGoodBear said:

Spending beyond their means? Sounds like they have a future in government. Perhaps they should ask Fast Eddie Rendell for some advice.

Yeah, the secret there is to just not settle on your budget until you're most of the way through spending it, right? :)

Conneaut does have a secret donor who's donate tens of thousands over the years. It wasn't a secret a few years ago. There was a article with the named man who donated enough to get the park that year. His contributions are in the tens if not hundreds of thousands over the years.

I've seen pics of the whole turnaround of Blue Streak detracked with a dozen guys climbing on it. Work is being done as it can be.

I only got to ride in the Vettel train which made what was a pretty shakey coaster rideable but it it me or does anyone else think them NADs would provide a wilder ride?

Chuck

If the coaster does open I'll be there. My fanily has never been, but I have heard a lot about it.

I still say that if the park can't sustain itself as a viable business, it should close. A private business shouldn't pretend to be a charity.

If that is simply not acceptable, then maybe they should get creative, and find unique ways to get people through the gates. It's pretty apparent right now that that's not happening.

Another words, try harder, or quit trying.

Interesting to note is that I saw the Vettel train sitting in the station with tools and material all over it. Either it makes a good toolbox, or the train is being restored. Additionally, the coaster itself looks terrible. A complete retracking is likely needed. As for the superstructure, I believe the chipping paint gives a false perception of its condition, so I'm unsure of how sound it actually is.

In regards to the donations and park progress, a familiar path is being taken. CLP is trying to make necessary renovations on false hopes of increased income. I know advertising is expensive, but people in the area need to be aware the place exists, because Erie has yet to see any information on the park aside from a small article in the newswpaper which discussed all area parks. I'm willing to bet that if this season stays slow, another saga of "we need money to open in 2011" is in the making.

Jeffrey Seifert said:
There's been some confusion over the years regarding what type of organizations ACE as a non-profit can donate to. It's not the bylaws or constitution that come into question but rather the IRS rules governing 501(c)(3) organizations. Many people thought that ACE could only donate to another 501(c)(3) organization, but that's not true. We can donate to any organization that fulfills ACE's goals, one of which is coaster preservation. It's really no different than the many non-profits out there that give out research grants and scholarships or help fund museums, parks or recreational facilities.

That's all well and good, but is the group operating the park a non-profit?

I thought I explained above that it does not have to be a non-profit.

But in this case, it is...

http://www.conneautlakepark.com/notice.html

Jeff said:
Regardless of what ACE stands for (God knows I have no idea), seems like throwing good money after bad.

That's why we donate to GKTW, Red Cross, Susan G. Komen, etc. :)

ACE stands for American Coaster Enthusiasts. it's a club not an organization. As for the preservation fund. Money raised at events normlay through Auctions can be given to 2 different funds: ACE Coaster Museum fund and the preservation fund. The preservation fund is used to assist projects that are working to preserve, rehab, or upkeep classic attractions. This project is exactly what the fund is intended for. The money is form other ACE members in the club. at no time are they Soliciting funds form the GP.