BAD NEWS for lesoudsville lake

Strickers has the advantage of not having to be open to the GP. By only operating for private corporate picnics it keeps the overhead down, especially the insurance.That is determined by a formula of how many hours you operate and how many people you ride. Trying to run LeSoudsville Lake like a regular park was a mistake. But then can the area support two corporate picnic parks? I think Shaggy has hit the nail on the head. it was just time.

I didn't catch this thread when it was new but I will make these comments.

Jerry Couch did meet with Carl Jenkins and Carl is reviewing the books now. Weather anything comes of it is up in the air. Carl Jenkins was one of the five interested buyers when the park went for sale in 99.

There is also another bidder interested in purchasing the park. This person or persons is unknown.

Jerry Couch reguarly disreguards the press or missleads them. Unless it benifits him someway to do so, he wants no part of the press. He sees no value discussing buisness with parties that arent' directly affiliated with either his buisness.

Chuck, saying another poor journalistic performance by another paper.

Charles,

As much as I don't like many reporters, you cannot put the blame on the reporter in this case. If a reporter contacts a "prime source" (in this case Jerry Couch) and the source lies outright to the reporter, how is the reporter supposed to know otherwise? The reporter also tried to contact Jenkins and he did not respond "to repeated calls over several weeks."

It would be one thing if Couch was evasive in his answers, but to directly lie...it's not the reporter who mis-represented the facts, it was the source who did...

I have to agree with Chuck on this one. I hear from people (who are doing the talks) that they are still going on. And then the next day the papers say something else? Hmmm something doesn't match up. But I'm still keeping hope for this park. It still can be succesful.

As for what Shaggy said about the Beach. I'm still scratching my head over that place. BUT they still have things that PKI doesn't...even with the new Boomerang Bay. Yes, of course it's going to be really interesting to how the public takes to Boomerang Bay this year.

The two biggest things IMO between PKI and The Beach is PKI was a SEA of concrete and The Beach has some nice shade. Now both places are still improving drastically. I think the Beach even installed a Master Blaster ride last year if memory serves me right. There are still a ton of things both parks can build to improve their waterparks. I think it's just going to come down to convienence and price. Anyone know how much the Beach tickets are this year? I do know they offer a pretty good Season Pass...though nothing beats PKI's Gold Pass deal they offered at the end of 2003 for 2004 not even SFWoA's outstanding season pass deal could beat PKI's.

I'm still waiting for a Midevil Times Business or some other Dinner and Show to come into Ohio. I would like to see this up by CP but I think it would thrive better around PKI. It seems that so many other parks have one of these right outside their gates.

Now if only we could rebuild one heck of a Haunted House near by like the good ol' days ;)

"The Future of Roller Coasters"
-RollerCoasterGod
http://OhioThemeParks.com

"Midevil" is like a Jedi on the fence about which side to take. I think you mean Medieval Times.

If you don't like the press, you shouldn't be in business. You work the press to the best of your ability, especially when you have no bona fide sales and marketing effort. That's free publicity you're neglecting. Not very smart business.

Bingo, there is no such thing as bad press. The trick is to get your name out there as much as possible. Don't do it, and people will forget about you.

Re: The Beach... Not only is PKI's waterpark expansion threatening the park, but I have heard that they have been in financial straights for a while, thus compromising their ability to add a new attraction. As far as I know, last year did not see an addition to the park.

But aside from that, there is now the very real possibility that the new indoor lodge waterpark will happen within the next 2 years... and it will literally be right across the insterstate from The Beach.

If memory serves me, Reps from The Beach were quoted and expressed some concerns/feelings when CP announced their new indoor waterpark resort. I can only imagine their reaction now that they hear there will likely be one across the street let alone 4 hours away.

Also, The Beach has their annual Holiday in the park that is a draw for them. However, me thinks that their little Winter event may not be quite the draw in the near future.

Shaggy

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Shaggy said:

Also, The Beach has their annual Holiday in the park that is a draw for them. However, me thinks that their little Winter event may not be quite the draw in the near future.

Shaggy

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i suppose that this is alluding to pki bringing back winterfest this season.

looking at both the regional amusement park industry and pki over the last several years a decision to restart winterfest would make since. in the last 3-5 years you see a trend developing:

industry wide parks being open earlier in the spring and later in the fall supposedly because these weekends are proving to be profitable. we are also seeing some midatlantic parks being open (including select rides) for the holidays. for example, dollywood.

even at pki, one of the parks busiest weekends for the last several years has been the first weekend in november.

now imagine this: if a year round water park opens then opportunities for a revamped winterfest becomes increasingly appealing because of the additional customer base.

we are witnessing all of the pieces lining up so that pki's winterfest can become a reality again.

Jeff, I agree with what you stated about willingness to get your image out. However there are still many old school buisness owners that will use the press only when it benifits them to do so.

Reminds me of a statement from Williams Groves owner last year when there was a accident on the Paratrooper. "Ill talk to you when He** Freezes over and until then, GTFO"

Chuck, who has no problem with Couch discussing things behind the sceenes but wishes he would be more accomidating.

Maybe SFI will buy it. J/K!

I'd really like to see this park open. With Screechin' Eagle being such a cult favorite, I've got to find out what all the fuss is about!

Old school businesses become old news and die.

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Johnathan said:
i suppose that this is alluding to pki bringing back winterfest this season.

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I'd bet on it. Seibert all but said "expect Winterfest in 2004" on closing day. And the park has sent out several e-mail surveys to test the waters about the event.

I'd be willing to hold my breath. :)