Help Conneaut open this year.

The truth about CLP

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(still need a rolleyes smiley :) )

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In all seriousness though, even the folks behind this site realize the park can't survive as an amusement park alone.

Hmmm, now that I think about it, you know who'd probably suffer the most if this CLP thing ended (either way)?

The Meadville Tribune! :)

Two new stories:

Stearns files petition to be relieved of duty

'One-Day Campaign' Extended; $11,300 already

Actually, I was thinking that too Gonch, lol. I mean... what else would they print that would actually gain attention... lol.

I have the "fix" for Conneauts money problems..

Put slot machines in the beach club. :)

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Lord Gonchar said:

In all seriousness though, even the folks behind this site realize the park can't survive as an amusement park alone.

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I don't think there's any diagreement with that fact. It seems to me the big difference in opinion in this thread is between those who want to save the park in any form and those who don't think it should exist at all.

I think the park managers should teach the employs to pick pocket, scam (already have games like that at other parks), and beg for money to keep the park alive.

Very sad issue here.

^^^Hear! Hear! That seems to be the general content of this thread.

Here's a fact. Conneaut Lake will remain a tourist destination. The park was a bonus for the visitors. It would be nice though to see another traditional park amongst the top dogs out there.

Does anyone here think CLP would be fine with a FEW rides (classics, kiddieland and coaster) and getting rid of the unnecessary ones? (Trabant, Music Express, Round Up, Paratrooper)

CLP could be a successful resort, festival grounds or summer getaway if given the proper tools to utilize. Someone posted a "concert venue". This is a great idea!

The park is NOT dead yet! There are still plans/hopes to open this year, just not this weekend. It could happen.

Wouldn't it be a kick in the you-know-whats if the judge now approved the sale of the land?

http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS02/705250379&SearchID=73282130324459

Or does this mean that CLP is on life-support?

...again...

After having briskly read through the many posts and links the main problem here is that CLP has been put into the public trust with no public endowment. It is being forced to be run as a public entity with overly restrictive rules with absolutlely no government funding. It is time for the state of Pennsylvania to step up and create an endowment for the function of the park exactly as Mr. Henninger of KW stated. The focus should be on events while keeping the current footprint of classic amusement rides and attractions.

There is no reason at all that this would not be viable. It is time for the state to make funds available to preserve the public trust. Public access could be the key to make this happen.

So much of our tax dollars have been spent on speculative ventures like gaming that investing in an area and enterprise like CLP would be one with very little risk and great rewards for the region.

An economic devolopment grant to see the park through a 5 or 10 year plan would be exactly what is needed.

If the plan were to fail then the CLP land should or probably would ultimately become public park land anyway.

This is an amazingly complicated issue that will continue to befuddle everyone involved.

Sadly, CLP is a viable venue, for amusements, concerts, weddings, and other activities. If you go to the link (if you're really interested in this subject) posted above (title "Truth....") you can begin to understand what has gone on over the years. It has a major economic impact on the area through "spin off" to all of the other businesses.

There are a number of issues that must be resolved, but if it were funded to clear the debts and given a jump-start, I believe it would run and keep going. The other big hurdle is the need for a management team with a clue. Since becoming a "public trust" there hasn't been anyone in place with any knowledge of how an amusement resort operates. No one, at any time. Until that happens, it cannot be run efficiently. All of the maintenance guys could tell you the stories of what it was like to get parts. Those in charge just didn't understand what goes into the operation of a park.

My other question, which no one can seem to answer, is why, if this is a public, not-for-profit, etc. entity, are there still real estate and school taxes being assessed? In general, at least in my part of PA, publicly-held properties are not subject to those taxes. And those taxes (which of course aren't being paid anyway) are a major portion of the accrued debt!

Believe me, there are a number of people out there who see the value this park has and are waiting for the right conditions to step in. The trust-thing, which has actually saved the park this long, is also the thing preventing anyone else from taking over.

I'm not sure where exactly the answer will come from, but I'm guessing we'll hear it rather soon.

btw--with reference to the Bug finding a new home if the rides are sold, good luck! No one came to the rescue of Whalom's Bug (I believe it might still be for sale at Edaville--$10K if you're interested). KG has no interest (already stated long ago)and I guarantee you none of the big parks would even think of taking it.

Comet Rider, while going through the Truth site and their explanation of the trust status, I wondered the same thing about the taxes.

As far as selling rides, etc., there was an item there somewhere saying something to the effect that if the trust should 'wind up' the assets could only be distributed to similar 'public non-profit' entities. Are there any others out there-- and I mean deliberately not-for-profit ;) The Columbus Zoo perhaps?

The story that seemingly never ends continues.

(doesn't anyone edit the Trib before it goes out?)
;)

http://www.meadvilletribune.com/local/local_story_150002438.html

As I said before, it's not dead yet! Watch for a 4th of July opening. *** Edited 5/30/2007 6:10:55 PM UTC by CastleKing***

I'd like for the park to open, but I'll belive it when I see it.

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Ex_Westview and KW_worker said:
I have the "fix" for Conneauts money problems..

Put slot machines in the beach club. :)

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LOL, god knows, they've got the tokens to use for the slots.

FYI - Their website now states they are making an attempt to open for the weekend just prior to the 4th of July. We'll see!

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RatherGoodBear said:
Who cares where they relocate rides, the big question is if CLP closes, where do they relocate "Meth Lab Central?"

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I assume that Camden Park would be next in line, maybe even Belmont Park.

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Lord Gonchar said:
Hmmm, now that I think about it, you know who'd probably suffer the most if this CLP thing ended (either way)?

The Meadville Tribune!

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You got that right. Maybe the paper should buy the park because if the place disappears, there'll be no local news left to report. I wonder if the paper staffs a special "Conneaut Lake" department? ;)

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Comet Rider said:

Believe me, there are a number of people out there who see the value this park has and are waiting for the right conditions to step in. The trust-thing, which has actually saved the park this long, is also the thing preventing anyone else from taking over.

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I was beginning to wonder that myself. While the idea of a not-for-profit amusement park makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, I can't help but wonder if private ownership might be what's needed to turn the place around. I guess the question is, is there a chance the city/town/county/whoever actually owns the place would be willing to let it go to an owner that wants to make a profit from the property while dedicated to keeping it alive?

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FLYINGSCOOTER said:

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Ex_Westview and KW_worker said:
I have the "fix" for Conneauts money problems..

Put slot machines in the beach club.

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LOL, god knows, they've got the tokens to use for the slots.

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LOL..I could see that really happening with the tokens. :)

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RatherGoodBear said:
Who cares where they relocate rides, the big question is if CLP closes, where do they relocate "Meth Lab Central?"

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I know Jeff caught a lot of crap for that 'Meth Lab' comment, but check this out.

From that link:

"DEA and state law enforcement continue to discover and dismantle clandestine methamphetamine laboratories throughout the state, especially in rural northwestern Pennsylvania, which is becoming known to local officials as the 'meth capital of Pennsylvania'"

Hell, they call it essentially the same thing.

*** Edited 6/1/2007 6:44:22 PM UTC by Lord Gonchar***

Well, since you opened the lid...

"Officials from DEA Philadelphia and state and local law enforcement are concerned about the apparent increase and eastward movement of methamphetamine production into Pennsylvania..."

THAT WOULD BE COMING EASTWARD FROM OHIO, RIGHT?

"Methamphetamine is available in varying quantities in Pennsylvania with consumption concentrated in the Philadelphia area."

SO ACTUALLY SESAME PLACE WOULD BE METH USER CENTRAL.

Sorry for the caps, but for some reason my home computer doesn't allow me to use italics or bold text (must be a browser issue). And I figured I leave discussion of "other illegal substance" abuse in PA for other threads. Reading that report, I guess we can trash Kennywood, Dorney and Bushkill as well. :)

Gonch, I did take issue with Jeff's statement, because of the snobbish attitude I inferred toward rural, white people (who are probably blue-collar and Christian too). Since I fit in 3 of those 4 categories, I figure I can object to any stereotyped comment just as anyone else in here does when they're offended by comments toward whatever group(s) they identify with.

Now everyone can go back to counting tokens or watching the Meadville Tribune. :)