Major VisionLand News!! (Good)

On the news tonight it was reported that the city of Bessemer might be the parks savior. The city has supposedly offered to pay its Oct. 2002 1million dollar payment now which means the park could operate this summer. The city also appears to be interested in buying the park. A news conference has been scheduled for 10am (CST) at the park.

More tomorrow.....

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New coasters in 02 so far: SE,GW(SWSA) SKC Rattler, RoadExp,Boomerang:CtC(SFFT)

OMG, I am so happy if this happens. I was really excited about Rampage this summer and then It closed on me! Let's hope this goes through!

Sweet! Visionland has ALOT of potential!

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Not MLK's words but mine..I have a Dream! I have a DREAM! I HAVE A DREAM!
I have a dream! That SFMM fans will be able to walk hand in hand with CP's!
AND no ONE cares what a coaster is and what a coaster isn't!

I'm sorry, but this doesn't seem like good news to me. City governments around here are notorious for being very poorly run. What makes them think they could run the park any better that an amusement management company? This may help VL open this year, but it's the LONG TERM that we want. Personally, I don't see any local government being able to run the park well...

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I sing sometimes for the war that I fight, 'cause every tool is a weapon, if you hold it right. -Ani Difranco

I agree. I think Visionland's long term outlook is dim. This is a band-aid for an issue much larger.

Definitely, relying on politicians and voters for your survival is risky at best....may keep the park afloat temporarily, but it's kind of like grabbing a rope that's tied to an anchor when you're drowning in debt....either learn to swim, or your business will go under....

....bill, feeling a bit nautical today....;)

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....teachin' people about towel safety and proper towel usage...it's important!

If you look at the history of Visionland, politics and political cronyism has a lot to do with why it has so many problems now. I wouldn't expect more political control to solve them.

Jim,

Local governments have been able to save parks by taking them over like Conneaut after its bankruptcys with two previous private owners and some governments have maintained excellent parks that they themselves have built such as Playland in Rye NY.

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La Ronde used to be owned by the City of Montreal and it was neglected, at best. Improvements were few and far between. If run properly a city can make money from a park, but it requires investment. Justifying a new roller coaster to voters is a lot harder than better roads and more teachers in schools.

bigkirby:

I was referring specificly to the history of Visionland, not to any other park.

As I understand it, Visionland was well run at first by a professional manager with experience in the the business. He was then discharged and a relative of a local politicican was place in charge. At this point the park started down.

Ahh, I didn't know that. Every business needs someone who knows how to run it. Plain and simple.

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Off with the trims!
My fellow Americans; Let's Roll!
Woodencoaster.com

The big news is: Bessemer is paying their 1.2 million dollar payment which is due in October early so that the park can operate this year. Larry Langford is stepping down as the chairman of VL and Bessemer is managing the park until someone buys it. They are also considering purchasing the park, but I believe this is a last resort.

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New coasters in 02 so far: SE,GW(SWSA) SKC Rattler, RoadExp,Boomerang:CtC(SFFT)

Everyone, lets pool our money together..... :)

http://www.interthemepark.com/visionland.htm

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