So, in other words, when Hart goes in and inspects everything CLOSELY and realizes his figures for refurbs were WAAAYYYYYYYY too low, He can run for the hills.

^Sounds familiar doesn't it?

This is as far as Bluegrass Boardwalk got, wasn't it?

Indeed. And then...

Do we know if it was due to lack of funding, or was it the family struggles that brought that deal to an end?

Edited January 25, 201313 yr by TTD-120-420

My answer would be yes. It was then and still is. Both. Family run businesses usually make decisions by consensus. Now, most know consensus probably wasn't the name of the game at that time. Interestingly, when Bluegrass Boardwalk fell apart, it was Natalie Koch making most statements on behalf of the family. Now such does not seem to be the case.

I thought that it was odd that Natalie Koch was making the statements. I had kinda forgotten about that.

Hart: Kentucky Kingom to reach million annual

attendance after three or four years, to be competitive with Holiday World and Kings Island, condition of park to be assessed next month:

http://www.ibj.com/kentucky-fair-board-group-reach-amusement-park-deal/PARAMS/article/39210

Louisville is currently dealing with High Crime and rampant Heroin abuse. I highly doubt many will chose KK over HW or KI.

At least he puts on a good front.

Louisville is currently dealing with High Crime and rampant Heroine abuse. I highly doubt many will chose KK over HW or KI.

At least he puts on a good front.

Abusing woman heroes should not be tolerated. They should be celebrated.

Mr. Hart to be on Louisville Public Radio, WFPL, at 1.

http://m.wfpl.org/#mobile/3605?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=http://www.google.com/search?q=%22Kentucky+kingdom%22&hl=en&tbo=d&gl=us&tbm=nws&source=lnt&tbs=sbd:1&sa=X&ei=RKYCUbmIErOM0QH6voGQAg&ved=0CCQQpwUoAQ&biw=480&bih=268&utm_campaign=/post/ed-hart-discuss-kentucky-kingdom-plans-today-byline

If this does happens, this would be good for our region, but maybe not Holiday World.

2014 Kings Island New Coaster

Kentucky Kingdom's Reopening, New Water Park, Rides

2015 Kentucky Kingdom reopens Twisted Twins and adds a new B&M Coaster

2016....

Mr. Hart to be on Louisville Public Radio, WFPL, at 1.

The interview:

http://wfpl.org/post/ed-hart-kingdom-lease-inauguration-2013-mcconnell-food-stamp-challenge

So, it appears there is a deal with Hart after all. Surprised I'm the first to post this...

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130124/NEWS01/301240028

Always hazardous to not read the thread before posting! Kind of like jumping ahead to answer a test question without reading all of it. Especially with all the interest here in Kentucky Kingdom.

That was posted at the time and has been discussed quite a bit here.

A recap:

http://www.newsdemocratleader.com/view/full_story/21519368/article-Kentucky-Kingdom-takes-step-to-re-open

Well my friend, I have been reading the thread... that's why I was surprised no one else had posted the article when it was on multiple other sites. I guess I'm still confused. I thought the article I linked was saying he had secured the other funding needed to complete the project.

So is it that the "undisclosed Kentucky bank" the article mentioned will only give the money if they get the 1 million tax rebate mentioned and that rebate has not been agreed to?

Well my friend, I have been reading the thread... that's why I was surprised no one else had posted the article when it was on multiple other sites. I guess I'm still confused. I thought the article I linked was saying he had secured the other funding needed to complete the project.

So is it that the "undisclosed Kentucky bank" the article mentioned will only give the money if they get the 1 million tax rebate mentioned and that rebate has not been agreed to?

The lease is all well and good...here are the nuts and bolts of it, and, why it is not time to get excited just yet.

10. Lease may be terminated by either party within 90 days after execution if the financing package is not acceptable to either Kentucky Kingdom or KSFB. Finance and Administration Cabinet and KSFB will be involved in negotiations with bank to ensure that the financing details are known to them during the financing acquisition phase.

11 After lease is signed, if park requires major unforeseen work not covered by Kentucky Kingdom’s projections, it may terminate lease within 90 days of execution of lease.

Either party can comfortably blow this whole deal up...

http://m.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2013/01/28/kentucky-kingdom-tourism-tax-credit-to.html?r=full

^

He said last week that he expects the application process to take two to three months.

Two to three months? He's going to be pushing it close on the 90-day window to back out.

That's 90 days from when the lease is SIGNED...

Kings Island will be open before that happens!

Louisville is currently dealing with High Crime and rampant Heroin abuse. I highly doubt many will chose KK over HW or KI.

At least he puts on a good front.

So is Cincinnati! Is there a point to the crime and Heroin statements?

Hart Names Management Team, To Check Out Park:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130128/NEWS01/301280087/Ed-Hart-check-out-Kentucky-Kingdom

See also:

http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2011-final-push-for-kentucky-kingdom/

While meaning to give an update on Kentucky Kingdom and Mr. Hart assembling his team, Lance Hart (no known relation) of Screamscape, inadvertently (?) gives his own assessment of park condition.

http://screamscape.com/html/kentucky_kingdom.htm

Interesting.

Very interesting. Especially since Ed Hart's RFP response had T2 and Twisted Twins both in the category of relatively easily and inexpensively fixed.

90 days.

So, in other words, when Hart goes in and inspects everything CLOSELY and realizes his figures for refurbs were WAAAYYYYYYYY too low, He can run for the hills.

Apt to be an interesting time in the meanwhile.

It is Screamscape, though.

Others who have been in the park have expressed similar views. Including, perhaps, the Bluegrass Boardwalk folk, who were exactly where Mr. Hart and Co. now are, and then suddenly were not.

Spoke with a former high up manager who served at SeaWorld and Dollywood among other theme park industry postings. Asked him what he thought of Hart's attempt to reopen Kentucky Kingdom. He expressed extreme skepticism. It was his belief the economy in general, and that area in particular, simply can not support another theme park.

Echos Matt Ouimet's conclusion the theme park business is fully built out in the United States.

He also does not expect Six Flags to acquire SeaWorld and Bush Gardens parks. Seems to think Six Flags has its hands full managing the parks it already owns. Had positive observations on the current leadership and management at Six Flags and felt they were doing a good job.

All this from a veteran of the industry who now works outside the industry and thus has a clear vision of the market and players.

Things to think about.

Hart's group gets preliminary approval for tourism incentives, required study expected to take two months:

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130130/NEWS01/301300114/1001/Kentucky-Kingdom-group-gets-preliminary-approval-tourism-incentives

Let say the park does open in 2014...What two major thrill rides to you guys see being added into the park?