SFGAm to get new $35M waterpark, SF capex in 2005 is $90M

Hey just listened to the SF conference call on their website and noticed that SFGAm is getting a new waterpark "next to" the existing park (wherever that is).

$125M total capex - $90M for the parks = $35M for SFGAm's waterpark. How much will that get you?

Anyway, sounds like more rides are being planned for next year, and SFGAd is getting "major new additions." I never knew they counted Gerstlauers as major, but whatever. :)

JC

About time dangnabbit!!! Great America is more than due for a waterpark. Hopefully it won't be separate admission, but even nevertheless, it is a good addition! Seems as if Great America and Great Adventure take a huge chunk of that 90 mil. I ain't complaining, but I'm sure others will.

SFGAm isn't taking anything from the $90M with that waterpark...SFGAd certainly is though. :)

Oh, my bad. its late.... *** Edited 8/11/2004 5:01:55 AM UTC by Antuan***

Hmmm....Maybe I'll have to hit SFGAm & SFGAdv next year. Thanks for the info, Joe.:)

*I* didn't realize that Gerstlauer built tall coasters....;)

'Tuan, the thread title WAS what was misleading....Joe does that on porpoise...:)

Good to see the expansion with the Water Park. I would have to guess it will be built on the side somewhere in the parking lot. They did sell the land across the interstate. YEs????

Another thing - I would think construction will start fairly soon as this would be a large project.

I have to admit that I am a tad confused by the news that Great America is finally getting a water park - especially considering, or so it seems, that it will be built out in the parking lot as BMCOASTER suggests.

While there is a TON of parking there, eating up a decent chunk of it with a waterpark would, at some point, have an effect on the entire parking situation at the park. But, unless they have something up their sleeves, I guess they'll be ripping up blacktop soon.

That said, if they ARE just going to put it in the parking lot, why in the heck did it take so long? I know they had talked and talked and talked about the land across the tollway for a waterpark - and I always assumed they did not want to sacrifice any more of the parking lot for a decent waterpark. And I think that is what they need to do - build a really decent waterpark - I just hope the "space issues" don't lead them to short-change the long awaited waterpark. Or maybe they'll just be adding on a mid-size park as part of the general admission to help offset some of the wait times on other rides in the park?

Well if they did not sell the land on the other side of the Tollway, they have broken ground. Maybe they sold some of the land, not all of it. Maybe they did sell it all and the proceeds are what will probably pay for the new waterpark. Wonder where it actually will be. But we all know that the parking lot is cramped already. So here is to hoping it doesnt get much smaller, but also having a kewl waterpark to boot.

I think they should take that $35 million and buy two more B&Ms.

Waterparks are so unoriginal and, in my opinion, not all that entertaining.

I'm guessing the waterpark will be in the long narrow strip of parking lot between RB/Viper and Eagle/Tollway. Considering what parks like IB, KW & PGA do with their limited spaces, I really don't think that space is a "real" problem.

I did a little research to see what $35M can buy and found that the new Schlitterbahn being built in Galveston, Texas (opening in 2005) was announced at $28M. Given the quality that Schlitterbahn represents, $35M should buy a LOT of waterpark.

Mike

Considering they use part of that parking lot for special events all the time, even on the busiest of Saturdays, I don't see it as a problem taking that bit of lot to put in a waterpark.

Not sure what 35 million will buy as far as a waterpark is concerned, but if they build a master blaster, do you think the park will claim another coaster? ;) LOL

Yes, Schlitterbahn *is* expanding to Galveston, at $28M....and NO waterpark deserves it more...but DO realize that they get rides *at cost*, since they ARE the manufacturer for all intents and *porpoises*.

So I would *anticipate* both parks getting ABOUT the same amount of goodies for their respective pricetags...also, we might need to take into account the relative costs for land prep, infrastructure, etc., those items which could *subtract* from the POOL ;) of money available for the RIDES themselves...

This will most likely be a Huricane Harbor just like the one at SFMM. That one was also built on a parking lot, has a seperate admission, but shares a common gate to help with security procedures. I'd imagine they'll use the land next to the front gate and behind SUF, towards the lake.

SFI is spending $125 million total on cap ex for the 05 season which will include major attractions at several parks,the $35 million for SFGRAM's waterpark will be deducted from that total of course.

The remaining $90 to $100 million will be invested into some,but of course not all of the remaining parks so we might be seeing a couple more coasters other than the new one at SFGRADV next year....I'm quite sure SFMM will be one of them but with SFGRAM out of the running which others does everyone think might have a shot at a new coaster for 05?

SFA, duh.

Joe, you are truly hateful....I love ya for that! :)

Sorry Legendary but that's not gonna happen next season,it sounds like they'll get something water related in 05 instead.

^Right...and that'll change about 17 times between now and the official announcement.