Another Chapter for Our Gardens …

Posted by Bob Gernert on November 10, 2008 at 3:16 pm

Revamped Cypress Gardens to Reopen
in March with New Focus and Expanded Water Park.
Displaced Employees to be assisted by Polk Works and United Way.

Cypress Gardens, that icon of Florida tourism, will temporarily close beginning November 17. Master site plans are expected in December with reopening projected for March 2009. The owners are planning to enhance the water park making it even more attractive.

The rides will be removed and both the entrance and parking will return to their pre-2004 locations. (Pictured left in an early Garden’s postcard.) That should make access to the botanical gardens and the water park more user friendly. As is always the case when the Gardens alters its operations, the area news media including all major Tampa television stations have descended on the community to seek reaction. Here are some observations.

Why close the ride and animal areas?

The ride and animal areas are labor intensive. Thirty-eight rides — many requiring two or more attendants — bring payroll and overhead costs that are difficult to recover when their target market is busy attending school. The animal area and various entertainment performers (Pirates, Cowboys, etc.) all add to the overhead. If a streamlined operation of the water park and botanical gardens makes the park profitable, that is a win-win.

Will the park’s identity be affected?

The park’s most significant identifier is in its name Cypress GARDENS. The water park complements that and provides an income stream that can make the park profitable and protect the historic botanical gardens.

Can this refocusing of the park’s operation work?

Absolutely. Regional water parks operate successfully across America. The botanical gardens, ski show, belles and the addition of a history exhibit dedicated to Dick and Julie Pope will offer something for everyone as well as paying tribute to the Pope promotional genius. Using the park’s beauty as a setting for weddings will also continue following its March reopening.

What about the employees?

The Chamber has worked in concert with the park owners, park human resources department, Polk Works and United Way of Central Florida to arrange for employment assistance group meetings. These will take place at Cypress Gardens on Friday, November 21 as outlined below:

Employment & Training Opportunities
Designed Especially for Employees of Cypress Gardens

November 21, 2008

Polk Works ReAct Services?
Workforce Investment Act Services (WIA)
One-Stop Centers
One-Stop Partner Services
Core Services (resource area)
Intensive Services (resume writing, etc.)
Training Services (approved training providers)
Unemployment Insurance (how & when to apply)

United Way Services
Dislocated Worker Assistance (rent, mortgage, food & utilities)
Other services provided by United Way Partners

Informational Sessions will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008
9 AM, 11AM & 2:30 PM

Sign-up today to reserve your seat!
Handout Materials Available

Visit Polk Works on the web at  HYPERLINK “http://www.polkworks.org” www.polkworks.org

Platinum Bank

See other entries filed in: Cypress Gardens, Tourism

REMARKS   10 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • November 10th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
    joey

    How close will the new water park be to the homes on the north side of the park - the Lake Summit side? Are there plans drawn up that we can see?

  • November 10th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
    Bob Gernert

    More than likely, any expansion of the water park will occur in the area now occupied by the Swamp Thing” Roller Coaster or in that vicinity. Actual plans will be announced in the near future and published here.

  • November 10th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
    Dave

    Are there plans for the land where the parking lot and the animals are now?

  • November 10th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
    Bob Gernert

    As we have noted, the owners plan to unveil a master plan for the future possibly in December. At present that is all the information available.

  • November 11th, 2008 at 9:30 am
    Beth Koon

    Although I am sad to see so many losing their jobs at this tough time of year, I agree with the plans presented by the Gardens’ owners. If the owners really want to build upon the Gardens’ history, it is hoped they will:
    1. Upgrade the gardens and provide more information regarding each piece of flora or fauna.
    2. Include information by the Florida pool. It was built in 1951 for Esther Williams’ film “Easy to Love”. Many Havenites posed for photos in that pool. (Any old White Dolphins out there?)
    3. Restore the canals so the electric boat rides can resume.
    4. Bring retail vendors that fit the Gardens’ image. In the 1970’s, Cypress Gardens was the ONLY place to purchase skis and bathing suits.

    I’m sad for those employees who are losing their jobs. It is my hope the Gardens’ return will provide better, sounder jobs and business for our community.

  • November 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
    Marie

    My family really enjoyed Cypress Gardens. It was clean, pretty, not overly crowded even when it was full, fun and friendly! The rides were perfect for my 8 and 10 year old sons and me. There were rides here that we’d never seen anywhere else, like Disco. The coasters were fun. We are sad to see the rides and animals go. The garden are cool - the Florida shaped pond, the topiaries, the banyan. The waterski show never gets old. The water park was the first I had ever been to, and that was only because it was so clean and inviting. We are season pass holders even though it is an hour and a half drive. We chose it over all the Orlando parks because we liked it better and it was perfect for our kids. Good luck with the transformation. We hope to come again in the spring.

  • November 11th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
    Chris

    This is a shame. The rides were the main reason I went. Oh well, luckily we have Orlando parks to go to.

  • November 17th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
    Kevin

    I hate to see anyone lose their job, but I feel this is the change Cypress needed. In my opinion the rides really weren’t that thrilling with the exception of Starliner. Does anyone know if the new waterpark will be heated for year round swimming? I know my family would buy annual passes if it meant we could swim in the winter months.

  • November 20th, 2008 at 10:13 am
    Robert Hebda

    This is very unfortunate to hear. As a Winter haven snow bird, I really enjoyed the park and the concerts. Maybe now, Winter Haven will make a serious bid to attract another baseball team for spring training. With both Cypress gardens closing and the Indians leaving for Arizona, the town is going to hurt tremendously for tourist dollars for the hotels and the restaurants. I can foresee many restaurants and hotels going under also. The Baltimore Orioles are looking for a new home. It is my hope that the powers to be take this advise and go after a team. If not, Winter haven will become a ghost town.

  • November 23rd, 2008 at 2:43 am
    JESSE

    I’m sad to see the park close. I was an annual pass holder, and I know what the problem was. Every time you sale or say that you are going to close the park you put distrust in the people that want to come. I did not buy passes this year because I saw things drop off. I felt if thoe something was going on and I was right. PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY if every time you come to the park to ride rides they are not running or there is no one to operate them they feel as thoe they have wasted money, and yet the price doesn’t change on passes that you can only use on the weekends that you use to be able to use all week. This is bad business and this is what has hurt Cypress Gardens. GLAD I DIDN’T BUY THE PASS and I feel for those that did.
    In my gut I don’t believe they will open back up, hope I’m wrong

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