Winter Haven, FL (Aug. 5, 2010) – LEGOLAND Florida has chosen PCL Construction Services, Inc. (PCL) as the builders for Florida’s newest family theme park. LEGOLAND® Florida opens in fall 2011 and will be a 145-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun.
Note to area contractors: Due to the high-volume of interested sub-contractors, PCL has created a specific email address to collect proposals. All sub-contracting queries should be sent to PCL via legolandinfo@pcl.com
“Merlin Entertainments Group is confident that PCL is the right company for this enormous job,” said John Ussher, LEGOLAND General Manager of Development. “PCL’s quality standards, along with their attention to detail and incredible safety record make them our company of choice.”
PCL is one of the top entertainment builders in the country according to Engineering News Record Magazine. With over 200 entertainment projects completed by the Orlando district, PCL has a diverse and extensive design build and fast track entertainment background that includes rides, roller coasters, simulators, aquariums, restaurants, retail and support facilities for numerous major Orlando theme parks. PCL is a 104-year-old firm with 27 office locations throughout North America and an annual construction volume exceeding $6 billion.
PCL’s design-build partner for LEGOLAND Florida is Morris Architects, a leader in entertainment design. PCL and Morris have a long and successful history of working together on entertainment projects throughout Central Florida. Founded in 1938, Morris Architects has established itself as an award-winning, planning, and full-service architectural design practice with offices in Orlando, Houston, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Hong Kong.
Merlin Entertainments today announced Adrian Jones has been appointed as General Manager for the planned new LEGOLAND Florida theme park scheduled to open in Autumn 2011. His duties beginning immediately.
Jones has had a long career within Merlin, most recently as Divisional Director of Midway Attractions in the Western United States, responsible for the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Schaumburg, Illinois, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas and Madame Tussauds Hollywood — the first Madame Tussauds attraction ever to be built from the ground up in 200 years. Jones has worked in leisure attractions for more than 20 years and has done everything from selling ice cream to General Manager, experience which will be very important in opening this very important new attraction for the company.
During the construction phase of LEGOLAND Florida, Jones will work closely with John Ussher, Merlin Entertainments’ General Manager of Global Development for LEGOLAND. “Adrian is a talented manager and we are thrilled that he has accepted the opportunity to run Florida’s newest full-day theme park, and Merlin’s first new LEGOLAND.” said Ussher.
“Having worked for Merlin all over the world, I know the high quality and service standards expected of all our attractions, and I am particularly excited to bring a LEGOLAND park to Florida, the biggest family entertainment centre in the world. I can’t wait to see the expressions on visitors’ faces when they see what we have in store for them,” said Jones. “Merlin is a major global attraction operator with proven expertise in running theme parks and LEGOLAND is a unique and compelling brand for families with young children. Merlin places huge emphasis on guest satisfaction that is unparalleled in this day and age and this is particularly important in this sector.”
Opening in fall 2011, LEGOLAND Florida will be a 145-acre family theme park geared specifically for children ages 2 to 12. There will be more than 50 interactive rides, shows and attractions including amazing LEGO models making it unlike any other attraction in Florida.
Jones is a graduate of Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom and is moving to Florida, with his wife Sarah who is a certified nurse and midwife.
The Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce will conduct a “LEGOLAND® Florida Host City Forum” for our members on Tuesday, July 20 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Chamber’s Coleman Auditorium. We have seating for 60. City, County and Polk Tourism representatives will participate.
Topics for discussion will include:
- How can Winter Haven become the best LEGOLAND® host city in the world.
- How do we best prepare to serve families with children 2 to 12 years old.
- How do we preserve and enhance our entryways and prevent “visual chaos.”
- How do we enhance our ability to make the Chain of Lakes a part of the visitor experience.
- How we can be an effective marketing partner of the Central Florida visiting experience.
Participation is limited to two persons per member organization to ensure the diversity of the forum input. Our tourism-related (hotels, restaurants, attractions) industries are encouraged to participate.
LEGOLAND Florida made a stunning preview debut to crowds of families with children as the colorful bricks were on display as both models … and more importantly, playthings. Throngs of interested area residents jammed the landmark Orange Dome to view actual models of the park, complex LEGO models that will grace the park and help to create a mural of the upcoming entrance to LEGOLAND Florida. LEGOLAND Parks CEO John Jakobsen and LEGOLAND Parks Developer John Ussher were on hand to meet and talk with the crowd.
Observations of Chamber Communications Manager Andrea Cruz:
Within 15 minutes of this open house, the place was packed; within 30-45 minutes, easily 1,000 people or more had come through the doors; an hour and a half later, easily 2,000.
The LEGOLAND community meet and greet featured life-size models of Darth Vader, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank and other scaled-down models, including a dinosaur and lots of LEGO people.
The centerpiece of the Orange Dome was “The Thinker” – he drew lots of attention and truly was a “model,” as many had their photos taken with him.
The White House scaled model that was on display is the original from LEGOLAND California. It came out to Florida for this event and will go back to California, AND eventually return and be a permanent fixture in the LEGOLAND Florida park.
Other fixtures in the room included before and after photos of artist’s renderings of certain areas of the former Cypress Gardens park, certain buildings, etc. Of course there was the LEGO building area where people worked on different pieces of what is to be a larger mural, and the stage and monitors with running video of the other LEGOLAND parks, showing the rides and happy people.
Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks John Jakobsen and General Manager of LEGOLAND Development John Ussher spoke to the crowds. Ussher answered the most burning and frequent questions they receive, to quell any rumors and verify others. Those issues included: botanical gardens, ski show, access for nearby neighborhood, the Starliner and whether they are buying the land across the street.
The crowd applauded when Ussher said they were keeping the botanical gardens of the original Cypress Gardens park.
Regarding the ski show – Ussher said: “Will there be a ski show? Of course, it’s Florida! Of course there will be a ski show!” Again, applause and laughter.
He told the crowds there will be separate road(s) constructed for the neighborhood that is next to the park to ease worries about in-and-out access.
Ussher assured everyone the waterpark would open hopefully sometime in the Spring 2012. The Starliner will be preserved, although they haven’t found a home for it yet, they’ve found a safe place to store it while they find a home – Ussher said the Starliner didn’t quite fit in with the LEGOLAND parks and themes.
Finally, he assured the crowd they are not buying the land across the street (currently a shopping plaza with a K-Mart and Publix among other stores).
I asked a few children what they were more excited for — the LEGOS or the rides and it was pretty much 50/50, or I got the response of “both.”
Congratulations to LEGOLAND officials for an entertaining and informative evening. Welcome to Winter Haven! The park is scheduled to open in Fall 2011.
LEGOLAND officials have released more details of Thursday night’s open house …
WHAT: On Thursday, July 8, 2010 LEGOLAND® Florida is hosting a community open house to meet with area residents about Central Florida’s newest theme park. This open house-style event is intended to acquaint local residents with LEGOLAND Florida and how it will impact Central Florida. Attendees will come face to face with amazing LEGO® models, view Park concepts, ask questions and hear about job opportunities. Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks John Jakobsen, General Manager of LEGOLAND Development John Ussher, Sales & Marketing Director Kim Isemann and Human Resources Director Kim Clark will be on hand to answer questions.
During the event, guests will have the unique opportunity to help build a giant LEGO mural depicting the front entrance of LEGOLAND Florida. When complete, the mural will be 9 feet wide and 5 feet tall created out of 35,000 LEGO bricks.
WHEN: Thursday, July 8, 2010 4 – 7 p.m.
WHERE: The Orange Dome - 150 Cypress Gardens Blvd.
VISUALS: LEGO Models of Darth VaderTM, Bob the BuilderTM, Thomas the Tank EngineTM, a miniature version of the White House – which will be the Florida park’s first permanent model – and more
Attendees building LEGO mural out of 35,000 LEGO bricks
Graphics showing the exciting plans for LEGOLAND Florida; the new family theme park opening fall 2011.
The Winter Haven community and other interested citizens will get their first look at plans for LEGOLAND® Florida on Thursday, July 8 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orange Dome on Cypress Gardens Boulevard. John Ussher, General Manager for LEGOLAND® Development notes, “This is just a friendly get together to tell people a little bit about the park. There will be a building event and some other activities.”
Those other activities include scale models of the park, video and blackboard plan displays and, of course, a LEGO play area for the children.
The event is a “drop by anytime during those hours” sort of unveiling and, expecting a large crowd, organizers chose the venue for its size and available parking.
Winter Haven will be home to America’s second LEGOLAND theme park and, in terms of acreage, the largest of Merlin Entertainments five LEGOLAND venues. The park is expected to open in Fall 2011 … just in time for the City’s Centennial Anniversary.
Pictured above, Merlin Entertainments CEO Nick Varney announces Winter Haven’s
selection as the site for LEGOLAND® Florida – January 21, 2010.
Winter Haven, FL (July 1, 2010) –The bricks are falling into place at LEGOLAND® Florida as the first three members of the marketing team begin to market the first LEGOLAND Park on the east coast here in Winter Haven. Director of Sales and Marketing Kim Isemann, Manager of Sales Todd Andrus and Public Relations Representative Jackie Wallace are bringing their expertise from Central Florida attraction destinations to promote the family theme park opening fall 2011.
Isemann brings considerable expertise in theme park and attractions marketing and will lead the estimated 20-person marketing team as Director of Sales & Marketing for LEGOLAND Florida. Isemann joins the team of Model Citizens (LEGOLAND Park’s affectionate term for employees) from her role as General Manager of the Daytona 500 Experience Attraction at the Daytona International Speedway. Prior to the Speedway, Isemann was with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in escalating roles over a 12-year period, culminating in her position as the Florida Parks Director of Promotions. Isemann is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and will soon be relocating to Polk County.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of Merlin Entertainments Group on this exciting new venture,” Isemann said. “LEGOLAND has such a tradition of quality entertainment, and I know this will be a successful park when we open next year.”
Joining Isemann as the Manager of Sales is Andrus, a 13-year sales veteran from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment where he was most recently the Senior Manager of National Sales. Andrus’ knowledge and contacts in the sales arena will prove invaluable to the first new theme park to be built in Central Florida in more than 10 years. Andrus graduated from Kent State University with a degree in Communications.
Wallace will be heading the communications efforts for the new park as Public Relations Representative. With more than 10 years of theme park experience, Wallace comes to LEGOLAND Florida directly from the promotions team at SeaWorld & Busch Gardens. Previously, she was a member of the SeaWorld Orlando media relations team that opened Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark and several headlining shows. Wallace graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations.
LEGOLAND Florida will offer more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including thousands of spectacular LEGO® models. The Florida development will be Merlin Entertainments’ second LEGOLAND Park in North America and will play an important role in the group’s continued growth in the U.S. Providing a full-day, year round theme park experience geared towards families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, LEGOLAND Florida will mirror the successful concept of the four existing LEGOLAND Parks in Denmark, Germany, U.K. and California. However, as with the other four, it will also have its own unique “twist” reflecting its stunning location and adding a Florida flavor.
Winter Haven is excited to host LEGOLAND® Florida and we welcome Kim Isemann,Todd Andrus and Jackie Wallace as they begin to tell the world about the park .
Reuters news service is reporting that private equity firm CVC is in talks to purchase a 30 percent stake in Merlin Entertainments (now planning to open LEGOLAND® Florida here in Winter Haven).
According to Reuters, “The deal would value Merlin Entertainments at approximately 2.5 billion pounds ($3.71 billion), one of the sources said, with CVC Capital Partners, Blackstone and Kirkbi A/S — the Danish investment company owned by the family behind the Lego brand — owning about 30 percent of the business each.”
Kirkbi owns about 36 percent of the business, while Blackstone owns approximately 52 percent. A deal with CVC would allow the U.S. buyout firm to reduce its stake and return cash to its investors.
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame opened in ribbon cutting ceremonies this morning and now shares quarters with Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at their new Lake Myrtle complex. The Hall of Fame houses memorabilia from some of Florida’s most famous sports stars from the past four decades. Upon walking into the museum, visitors are greeted by a dragster, donated by Hall of Fame racer, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits (pictured below).
A number of Hall of Fame members were expected at the festivities including: Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Doug Sanders, Charlie Owens, Don Garlits, Fran Curci, Jimmy Carnes, Roger Strickland, Hubert Green, Pat Borders, Catie Condon and Ruth Alexander.
“We are so excited to be able to share this grand opening with the Hall of Fame members, the people who make this new building what it is,” said Florida Sports Hall of Fame Chairman, Rick Dantzler.
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame began in 1961 and returns to its roots so to speak as it was once housed in the Snively Mansion at Cypress Gardens. It’s new location is at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, 2701 Lake Myrtle Park Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823.
Please note that the new Florida Sports Hall of Fame officially opens Tuesday, June 29.
Hours of operation are Tuesday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on event weekends.
Winter Haven Chamber and City officials visited LEGOLAND California on April 8 and 9, 2010. The group spent five hours touring the park with General Manager Peter Ronchetti and CFO Brian Shaw. Information concerning the visit was presented at the City Commission’s April 26 meeting. The slide presentation below is a pictorial review of the the beautiful LEGOLAND California Park.
Renovations on the Cypress Gardens site will begin in summer. Watch for plans and artist renderings of the LEGOLAND Florida park in July.
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Winter Haven, FL (Aug. 5, 2010) – LEGOLAND Florida has chosen PCL Construction Services, Inc. (PCL) as the builders for Florida’s newest family theme park. LEGOLAND® Florida opens in fall 2011 and will be a 145-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun.
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