Kentucky Kingdom to reopen as Bluegrass Boardwalk in 2013, operated by Koch family

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The Kentucky State Fair Board approved a lease deal for Kentucky Kingdom, which will be operated as Bluegrass Boardwalk by a company formed mostly by members of the Koch family, who own Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

Read more from WDRB/Louisville, WHAS/Louisville and WAVE/Louisville.

SFoGswim's avatar

What coasters are left there that will be part of the new park?


Welcome back, red train, how was your ride?!
Jeff's avatar

The WAVE link above has some bullet points for the lease agreement. The rent seems kind of high to me after the first year. I sure hope they can generate the revenue to cover that and be profitable. I'm sure they ran the crap out of the numbers, but that park still makes me nervous.

That said, maybe the Fall Affair can be a two-day event in 2013. :)


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

The WAVE link is currently going to WDRB.com?

Koch family members have said they willapply for state tax incentives to help with financing, but won't asklawmakers directly for money. Those incentives could include taxbreaks to recover one-fourth of the Koch family's costs over ten yearsand allow a rebate of state sales taxes.Earlier this week, Mayor Greg Fischer saidas part of the deal the city won't receive a payroll tax, but heapproves of that, saying, "Well, if that's what it takes to help themget it open, we do that for different deals from time to time thatcreate jobs and help the community. So our goal is to keep this openand get people employed and get our community enjoying it."

The old tax incentive versus tax subsidy debate is in play. This is no different than what the Arc folks were (are?) trying to achieve. Just like with the Arc, I'm all for incentives/breaks to help the economy.

Hope this works out!

I am so excited to see what Holiday World will do to improve this park. I cannot wait to go in 2013.


Collin Aynes

Jeff's avatar

Fixed the WAVE link.

An arc is a curve. I'm pretty sure you mean ark, which is a vessel.


Jeff - Editor - CoasterBuzz.com - My Blog

Jason Hammond's avatar

I'm curious to see what the parking ends up being. It was one of the only, if not the only six flags that had no parking pass option as the lot was owned and operated by the state fair. That being said, I think it was the lowest parking cost of any park I have been to, not counting parks that don't charge a fee at all.


884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
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CoasterDemon's avatar

SFoGswim said:
What coasters are left there that will be part of the new park?

http://www.rcdb.com/4563.htm
5 coasters (really 6 as Twisted Twins are 2).


Billy

Unless there were a different lot made say in the old House area behind T2 and different gate, Im sure KY State Fairground Parking Price will be the norm..

It will be interesting to follow what the plans are. Didn't SF take the Twins Trains to another park? If so, Voyages trains will have a future if the Timberliners are a go.

coasterqueenTRN's avatar

I am just glad to hear they are moving foward with the project. I can't wait to see it next year!

The Koch family are true rock stars. :)

-Tina

birdhombre's avatar

I'm still not thrilled with the choice of name, but I guess most park names are hokey in their own way. Including ones with the state's name in them. :) Seeing as we drive right by Louisville on the way to/from Holiday World, I'm predicting a post-HWN visit next year...

Jason Hammond's avatar

They said they plan to open in 15 months. So, depending on how things go, A post-HWN trip could be one of it's first operating weekends.


884 Coasters, 34 States, 7 Countries
http://www.rollercoasterfreak.com My YouTube

I just want them to put a stairway on the waterpark end of the Damn Bridge. :)

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bjames's avatar

From KK to BB? ALLITERATION!!

How is this a boardwalk? Will the Kochs be installing a waterfront?

Was this park built as Kentucky Kingdom? Seems I remember going to the fair there in the early 90's...might have been 1990...and needing tickets to ride Thunder Run. Was it part of the fair? Or was there always a separate admission?

They had an indoor coaster too...

That was my one and only visit...

Last edited by Aamilj,
rollergator's avatar

What's there, coaster-wise? Thunder Run and Greezed Lightnin'. The rest, as they say, is gravy.

Tekwardo's avatar

I only go for those two.


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Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

birdhombre's avatar

All Kentucky amusement parks are now required to have the initials B.B. Which means that I myself could be a Kentucky amusement park. In Ohio.

Last edited by birdhombre,
Tekwardo's avatar

But would anyone ride your woody?


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Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.

Twisted Twins needs a lot of work considering it hasn't operated in 5 years. It wouldn't shock me to see if got some much-needed tweaking; particularly considering they will have to get new rolling stock. I always thought it was ride that could have potential had it not been so poorly executed.

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