New Chapter for Cypress Gardens …

Posted by Bob Gernert on September 25, 2007 at 2:55 pm

The Ledger has reported that Land South Group, Inc. of Mulberry was the successful bidder for Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Macon, Georgia today. The park sold for $16.8 million and according to bankruptcy attorney, Ward Stone, the approval of the court on Thursday is a formality. The Chamber had learned earlier today that Land South had “prevailed” in the auction and Stone’s comments on The Ledger Web site confirm that information.

The auction was conducted by the Middle District Court-Georgia, Valdosta Division. According to the report, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta was purchased by the Herschend Family Entertainment of Missouri (owners of such properties as Dollywood).

Land South Holdings includes partners Brian Philpot and Robert Harper. We have learned that Deputy DEP Secretary, Bob Ballard (instrumental in the original Gardens purchase by Kent Buescher) introduced the company to the process.

Further details will be forthcoming.

Ledger report here.

Here we are … at the top of that first hill again …

Cyberlink1

See other entries filed in: Commercial Developments, Cypress Gardens, General Announcements, Real Estate, Tourism

REMARKS   8 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • September 25th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
    Kristie Carlini

    Looking forward to the new owners maintaining Cypress Gardens as a theme park! Hopefully, they could consider expanding the park to include active Night Life activities - like Downtown Disney……..It would certainly give Polk County Residents other options for a place to go at night rather than leaving the county for fun….It might also increase revenue for he park ………………just my thoughts!

  • September 25th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
    Bill Johnson

    Hopefully the new owners can make a go of it……Good Luck

  • September 25th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
    Dave

    With the park now being free of outside debt, this is a great opportunity for the Gardens to thrive. Let’s hope they keep Kent involved.

  • September 25th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
    joey

    So now what, expansion? Shut down?
    Whats the plan?

  • September 26th, 2007 at 5:54 am
    Jeff Stevens

    I wish the best of luck to the new owners. Some new blood and ideas could help this beautiful park. I like your idea Kristie about adding some night life to the park. Why not make use of that great stage for a local talent night/concert once a month that could show case local bands.
    Developing the Chains Of Lake Park as a destination point instead of more housing would help. Any word on a new basball team using the facility?

  • September 27th, 2007 at 10:18 am
    Robert Hebda

    I also hope that the new owners will really make a go of it and make the park to continue as a first class entertainment destination. Because if not and this fails, the tax dollars derived from Cypress Gardens will then be transferred to the backs of the residents of Winter Haven. As an aside to Jeff, The powers to be have made it clear that no new team is going into that current stadium. They have had their minds made up that housing, restaurants, hotels, etc are going in there. The property is too valuable for the town. If a team ever choose to come to Winter havem, they have land elsewhere on the outskirts of town that would be used. I still say, we will regret this down the road of the Indians leaving!!!

  • September 27th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
    Jeff Stevens

    I agree with you Robert and have expressed my feelings many times about this. The absence of baseball will leave a chilling feeling come the Spring of 09. But the years that follow will see a void that Winter Haven hasn’t seen in decades. Baseball was the cities heritage for generations as well as the other anchor here and I’m afraid that Cypress Gardens will feel the brunt of the loss. With tough economic times and no other major pull to compliment the Gardens it will put a hurt on the new owners. I still hope that the city leaders work at securing another major league team.
    Jeff

  • February 26th, 2008 at 9:09 am
    THERESA

    I PERSONALLY LOVE THE PARK , AND I LOVE THE OUTSIDE CONCERTS.HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED A BATTLE OF THE BANDS FOR WEEKLY EVENING SHOWS SOMETHING TO DRAW IN THE YOUNGER CROWEDS AT NIGHT TO KEEP THEM OFF THE STREETS. I REMEMBER A ELVIS IMPRESSIONIST, HE WAS WONDERFUL HE HAS HIS ACT DOWN TO A PERFECT T. OHH MY AND HE SANG THE SONG MEMORIES AND SPRAY PAINTED A SILLOETT OF ELVIS THE KING . HOW MIND BLOWING IT WAS.. THAN!! HE HELD A AUCTION RIGHT THERE FOR THE PAINTING AND HIGHEST BIDDER GOT THE PAINTING AND ALL THE MONEY WENT TO THE CHARIETY OF THE BIDDERS CHOICE…
    “NOW HOW FRICKEN COOL IS THAT” NOT A PENNY IN HIS POCKET…”WOW”… I SURE HOPE TO SEE HIM HERE AGAIN… I HAVE SEASONAL PASSES FOR MY WHOLE FAMILY (6)OF US. GEORGE JONES IS RIGHT UP THERE WITH ELVIS TOO… CYPRESS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND FANTASTIC UPGRADES …(YOU COULD USE MORE UPCLOSE DISABLED PARKING THOUGH)… A LOVING FORMER EMPLOYEE… THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES PAST AND THOSE TO COME… THERESA

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