Conneaut to raise $125K to reopen Big Dipper

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

Discuss. :-)

I'm a huge fan of Conneaut's BD, but weren't they just in the news a couple months ago for defaulting on recent bills? How are they going to get the woodie fixed if they can't even pay for the electric?

Big Dipper?

I don't know much about this park of this coaster, having only read about it on the net, but why can't they keep the ride open the traditional way, but charging people to ride it...and if not enough people want to ride it in order to keep it open, dare I say, close it down? Since when is opening a roller coaster a charitable cause, when their are many other problems to throw our money at in the country, and the in the world?

How cold of me to say it, but this park continuously begging for money and "volunteers" (people who will work for free) to keep their Blue Streak coaster running is just ridiculous. If they need "volunteers" to keep the coaster and the park open, then maybe it's best to let the park close for good, and sell off whatever assets that they can to recoup however much money they can.

Compare it to the Leap-The-Dips at Lakemont in PA. They raised the money to rebuild and refurbish the coaster, and now they keep it open with admission funds. The ride gets a lot of love. What does Lakemont Park do differently that Conneaut does not?

Edit - I need someone to proofread my posts before they go out into the world, like I have at work.

They indicate what they will do if the funds they raise exceed the amount they need for restoration (mighty ambitious thinking, really), but they don't address what happens to the money they raise if they don't meet the goal? Where will those donations go?

Yeah, I meant Blue Streak. kpjb literally called "BS" on me. ;)

Awesome timing to be asking for money, what with the millions of people in Haiti living in tents and dead bodies on the street.

^Don't forget about all the people suffering here, right outside ;)

I donated towards Haiti recovery effors and I'll gladly donate towards getting Blue Streak open. Two completely opposite but worthy causes IMHO.

Not everyone rolls with your cashflow and extravagant lifestyle, you know. :)

A $10 text to help people in Haiti and the same donated to help restore Blue Streak isn't exactly what I'd call extravagant...although I suppose there are some people much less fortunate than myself who would. ;)

What difference does it make?

This certainly seems like a worthwhile headline for the front page of this site. As a coaster enthusiast, I find it more important and interesting than most of the headlines that are up there now... The Blue Streak is an important part of coasterdom that is so worth saving and preserving.

That's a matter of opinion, and not one that this editor shares.

Maybe Apollo Management can swing by on their way to Sandusky and write a check.

Why all the fuss? They're asking for voluntary donations. If you don't want to give, don't. If you're concerned how the money will be used, don't give. If people decide they want to give, good for them. It's their choice. Let them give, and don't give them grief. What other people choose to do with their money is their concern.

Contributing money to this cause is not depriving anyone in Haiti a thing. If you want to continue that line of thinking, any time any of us have spent in a park, somewhere in the world someone was hungry, sick, or dying. So does that mean we should never visit parks again? Of course not, and it's ridiculous to suggest.

Considering they managed to get the Train running again, via the Brick Donation drive they had, it wouldn't surprise me at all if they get the Blue Streak rolling again.

That park should be renamed: Timex:, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

Long Live CLP!

My issue is more with the insistance on throwing more good money at bad. This has been going on for years, and the result never changes.

Exactily my point, Jeff. If Conneaut can't be run as a successful business, why keep it open. Continuously asking for donations and volunteers to run a business seems to me as somewhat pathetic. That horse is dead, imo.

Walmart doesn't ask for donations and volunteers to keep their business running. They hire employees and charge customers for goods and services. Why should Conneaut be any different?

As much as I love having two parks within 45 min of my home, CLP is a lost cause. It's only a matter of time until the Lisko's are looking for cash to operate the park. I understand they are in the process of "upgrading" according to their sign. However, for the rates they charged, it is simply not worth the visit. (I understand the parking charges because they need cashflow from somewhere.) The place itself looks awful and dirty to the point that the Erie County Fair in Wattsburg looked more like an amusement park. If they really want to make this work, the "Amusement park" can never run to the size it once was because of the lack of demographics in the area. If anything the beach and camping are what to build the park around.

In terms of getting return visitors, looks are key. Restore the concession and game buildings or just flatten them, and give the rides a nice paintjob. Get some landscaping and restore the entrance plaza. First impressions are key, and when someone parks in an overgrown lot and then continues to walk to a stagnant pond and peeling paint entrance way, the initial thoughts are of filth and neglect. Make the little they have look appealing, so people are willing to return and generate income for expansion.

Thats good to hear Ken! Then I guess they're on the right track. I was there in early June so changes could have been definitely made. I do truly believe though, that emphasis should be made on the beach and camping aspect along with keeping their events like antique car shows going. The place has a chance, but the park must evolve into an recreation place, not just an amusement park.