I was still hoping for a hypercoaster, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards. One can only dream.
I don't see how a few proposed water features somehow throws off that dynamic. And the stormwater issue, in my opinion, is something that can be worked out. To reject a plan because of that is totally bogus.
PA township officials are annoying. I find they're mostly big fish in a little pond who like telling people what to do for a power kick. I'm sure that saying "no" to a big company like Hershey is a virtual aphrodisiac for some people.
RGB, who plays in stormwater for a living.
But if that's the issue, why did the township official make the comment that these would be waterpark attractions and not "regular" rides? My opinion is that the township is playing games-- you keep submitting revised plans, and we'll keep charging you additional fees to review the plans. If you're going to make money, we're going to make money.
I think I'll look for the township's website online and see if they have minutes from the meetings posted.
I checked out Derry Township's website. They don't have the minutes posted from the October meeting. I guess that makes sense since they won't be officially approved until the next meeting, in case they need to be corrected.
What is interesting is that the slogan on the township crest, or whatever you call it, says "Derry Township, Where it's just sweeter." Talk about riding someone's coattails. And they brag about not raising taxes for 18 years. Hmmm, wonder where all their income is coming from.
Hershey's engineers and planners should have met with the township's engineers privately before any submission was made to iron out issues like stormwater. Maybe they did, I don't know. I'm not fond of local officials in the least, but I wouldn't blame them for getting a little defensive for anyone who'd come in and say, OK approve this right now or we can't build it.
But the township should also understand how important it is for the park to remain on the cutting edge with the competition, if not ahead. If the twp can make mucho profit off of the park and the candy company, they should be willing to extend some cooperation their way as well. They should figure out that without the park, there probably wouldn't be any outlets, hotels, banks, restaurants, and other businesses open there either.
Whatever the case is, the town should realize that Hershey is behind the competition when it comes to water-based attractions. They are one of the only major parks left in the country without any kind of waterpark. I don't think they need a waterpark but I do think they're missing out right now.
I'm not sure the township thinks of Hersheypark in that context, Rob-- compared to other parks. They're probably mostly concerned with what happens within their own little borders. So they worry about the park extending another pipe toward the creek. And they fret about how many cars will be going up and down their roads.
I don't know how it is in other states, but PA seems to have it all backwards as far as treating its businesses is concerned. Hassle the people who provide jobs and pay taxes, or provide a service that people actually use. But then they'll fall all over someone coming in who demands tax breaks, creates few jobs, and has a heavy demand for municipal services.
The township should realize that the park is hoping for something big for its 100th anniversary. And all those additional people will be spending lots of cash within the township borders.
The only thing is, supervisors rarely overrule their PC's. I guess they don't want to show them up, since they're the ones who appointed them in the first place.
From the article, it sounds like HERC is looking for a yes or no answer. They don't intend to take the plans back, make any changes, and come back to the PC and Supervisors again for approval. I can't see them just walking away and not having any new attractions for their 100th anniversary year because of a pissing match between themselves and the township. If so, you'd think they'd have a Plan B for backup.
Intamin Fan said:
Hello! You've got this roller coaster called Roller Soaker which just wastes enourmous amounts of water, whether people are riding or not. Why would a water play area be any different? The article confirms something I'm sure we've all been looking at everytime we go down by Lightning Racer and Roller Soaker--you knew that space would get filled sooner or later. Well, I guess it's back to the drawing board unless they can get their way. To me, it just seems anti-business towards a huge source of revenue for the area.
Roller Soaker doesn't really waste water. It's actually on a closed plumbing circuit. I believe the water has some chlorine in it. It just circulates through and through again.
Think of the water bill Kings Island would have if that ride ran off a city water system... It just isn't something that can be done, plus, it would be a complete waste. *** Edited 10/12/2005 7:35:54 PM UTC by rathofdoom***
But I wanted to clarify sewers and drains vs stormwater run-off. Yeah, that's what sewers and drains are for but it still creates a problem because all the water that falls during a heavy rain gets shunted directly into streams and rivers resulting in a greater chance of flooding. Porous surfaces, such as grassy fields and wetlands, absorb the water and reduce the risk of damaging floods.
But again, that's not a judgement for or against the Hershey project. In fact, the local Sprawl-Mart probably causes more damage to the water cycle than a couple of waterslides ever would.
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