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.
Mulberry-based Land South Holdings LLC has submited a contract for the purchase of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in the Middle District Court, Macon, GA. Land South partners Brian Philpot and Rob Harper delivered the $16.8 million contract for the historic park today (Friday, September 14, 2007).
In a prepared statement Philpot noted, “Land South Holdings is pleased with the opportunity to pursue the purchase of the park. If our contract is successful, we will keep Florida’s original theme park a locally owned and operated tourism destination. For more than 70 years, Cypress Gardens has been an integral part of Polk County’s landscape, providing millions of visitors with priceless memories and experiences. The park provides more than 600 jobs to our community and is a driving force in our economic engine. Over the next two weeks, we will focus all our efforts into acquiring Cypress Gardens.” The company added that they cannot comment further at this time.
The Middle District Court will conduct the auction of both Cypress Gardens and Wild Adventures Parks on Tuesday, September 25, 2007.
We wish them well. Send them your best wishes here.
Note: Our original post stated this was a “bid” for the park when in fact Land South Holdings, LLC has submitted a contract to the court for the purchase of the park. We regret the confusion. Bob Gernert
Polk Schools are out on Wednesday, September 12. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will have the rides open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Splash Island Water Park open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. that day.
Admission is $19.95 plus tax for the day or an individual annual pass.
Remember the Three Rs … Rides, Roller Coasters and Rafts.
On Sept. 25, Cypress Gardens and Wild Adventures theme parks will be sold to satisfy requirements under the 2006 Chapter 11 filing by Adventures Parks Group, LLC.
The Chamber has been in direct communication with park owners for several months. In a conversation today, Kent Buescher, CEO of Adventure Parks Group stated there is no chance either park will close. He added there would be no changes in employees and new events and programming would be forthcoming.
He emphasized that annual passes will be honored until their natural expiration at year’s end and new passes will go on sale as usual in November.
It will be business as usual both before and after the sale. Based on our information, there are well-qualified, interested buyers in line for both of parks.
As more information is available, we will update you here.
Update: 3:45 p.m. 09/06/07 The United States District Court, Middle Court of Georgia, Valdosta Division will conduct the sale on September 25. There could be more than one bidder for a particular park. In light of that fact it is our understanding that no one will know the actual buyers until that date.
4:45 p.m. 09/06/07 In an interview with the News Chief, Sara Sumner with Adventure Parks Group said, “any potential buyers for one or both of the parks will have to go through a pre-qualifying process to enter the bidding process.
The opening bid for a package purchase of Wild Adventures and Cypress Gardens is set at a minimum $53.25 million, Sumner said. An opening minimum bid for Cypress Gardens alone is $17.4 million and the opening minimum bid for Wild Adventures alone is $38.85 million.
The opening of Cypress Garden’s Starliner Roller Coaster made it all the way to the jumbo trons of New York’s Time Square. In the photo above, (one of six 15 second displays) the top board notes that Friday the 13 proved lucky for the coaster and the bottom board shows riders about to crest the lift.
Park officials say the ride is now operating on a regular basis after several days of fine tuning were required following the opening of the restored 44 year-old classic wooden coaster.
Update: The State of Florida has issued an operational permit for the Starliner Roller Coaster. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will open the ride to the public at 3:00 p.m. today, Friday, July 13, 2007.
This is the view from the top of the “lift” or first hill on the historic Starliner Roller Coaster set to open to the public as soon as State officials certify the ride.
The classic “out and back” design debuted in 1963 at Panama Beach as Florida’s first wooden coaster. It was designed by John Allen.
Cypress Gardens has completed a $4 million renovation of the Starliner. Riders will reach speeds of 70 mph with plenty of “air” time and stomach flutters as they fly over high hills, bunny hills and camel backs.
Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Thursday, July 12 at 10:30 a.m. We will post the official opening when the certification is received.
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the report, Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta was purchased by the Herschend Family Entertainment of Missouri (owners of such properties as Dollywood).
Mulberry-based Land South Holdings LLC has submited a contract for the purchase of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in the Middle District Court, Macon, GA. Land South partners Brian Philpot and Rob Harper delivered the $16.8 million contract for the historic park today (Friday, September 14, 2007).
Polk Schools are out on Wednesday, September 12. Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will have the rides open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Splash Island Water Park open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. that day.
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