Dear Editor:
I’d like to share a few thoughts with the residents of Eagle
Ridge. Some of you have expressed opinions that you don’t care what
happens to your next-door neighbor, Bonfante Gardens, but you ought
to.
Dear Editor:
I’d like to share a few thoughts with the residents of Eagle Ridge. Some of you have expressed opinions that you don’t care what happens to your next-door neighbor, Bonfante Gardens, but you ought to. There are tremendous advantages to having the park locally owned and operated, let me share why.
Recently, I visited with some friends that live in your community and they knew I had worked at the park during its first season and they asked how I felt about the land deal between the park and Shapell. I turned the question around and asked them as residents of Eagle Ridge, how did they feel about the deal – what’s the word on the street?
My friends said they were against the land deal as they felt the park had been given too many special privileges in the past and if the park fails then it will simply go away. I laughed and shared with them, first let’s not refer to the park as failing as it’s not a failure but if the park is unable to meet it’s financial obligations then the bondholders could foreclose. Anyone that believes just because the park’s current ownership loses control of the park means it will close and simply go away is clearly mistaken. A smart bondholder would cease the park assets and open the bidding to the theme park company that will pay the most money, buying the park pennies on the dollar. The only thing that’s going to change is the park will no longer be owned and operated by people that live in the local community. Some large theme park conglomerate will probably own it.
Much to their surprise, my friends seemed stunned at the thought that another theme park operator would or could come in, operate the park and change the mix of the park to include teenaged high-speed thrill rides. They simply thought if the park closed, it would be gone and everything out there would be quiet.
I shared with our friends three horrifying incidents of theme park foreclosure that I knew of and neither of the three parks communities is happy with the situation:
MARINE WORLD AFRICA USA – Vallejo, CA … When the non-profit organization that owned and operated Marine World was unable to make the bond payments, the City of Vallejo foreclosed and took possession of the park. Vallejo selected Premiere Parks now Six Flags to be the new park operator with a commitment from Six Flags that they would invest millions of dollars in new rides and attractions over the first three years. The local community was excited as a major park concessionaire was coming in to take over the park and new things would be added. Little did they realize, the new high-speed thrill rides would add a new element to the park’s attendance, TEENAGERS. Attendance soared and so did profits (until 2003). In October 2003, The City of Vallejo reported they had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in extra park related police services, some because of traffic but also because of the drug and gang problem they have been having. I’m not saving this is a bad park or it’s unsafe, but simply it has it has a new and different challenge.
ELITCH GARDENS – Denver, CO … In 1997, the non-profit organization that operated the park was offered a tremendous amount of money for their centrally located in-town park land. The park decided to relocate to the suburbs and they moved many of the rides and added new gardens. Unfortunately, the non-profit was unable to keep its financial obligations and it was forced in to bankruptcy. The park’s lien holder auctioned off the park and assets to Premiere Parks, now Six Flags. The park concessionaire added millions of dollars in high-speed thrill rides and attendance grew but so did problems with gangs. The city ended up adding a police substation in the park, which has added extra protection but also added a tremendous financial burden to the city.
CYPRESS GARDENS – Winterhaven, FL … In 2003, the non-profit organization that owned and operated Florida’s Oldest Theme Park, Cypress Gardens, abruptly ceased operation in March. Unable to meet it’s financial obligations the parks land and assets were put up for sale. The state of Florida and Gov. Jeb Bush stepped in and purchased the park assets and land, claiming it as being historic. The search was on for a park concessionaire to purchase the park and lease the land from the state. A Georgia theme park company was selected as the new owners and operators of the park. The new park operator promised to keep the historic aspects of the park but promised to add new rides to attract a wider age of visitors. At present, it’s been reported the new park concessionaire has paved over acres of gardens and is adding high-speed thrill rides. The verdict is still out on how this park will do, by adding high-speed thrill rides.
I ask the residents of Eagle Ridge, is this what you want in your backyard as your next-door neighbor? I don’t think so! Saving Bonfante Gardens means keeping it under local ownership and operation. This means the parks decisions are made here by locals, not in some corporate boardroom in a far away state by a theme park conglomerate.
I wonder if the residents of Gilroy realize that if the park is unable to meet its financial obligations doesn’t mean the park is simply going to go away. Council Member Bob Dillon’s concerns that massive development could happen if the parks bondholder foreclose shouldn’t be a concern, what should be a concern is who is going to buy the park and how will they operate it. The land is already zoned commercial for a theme park and ripe pickings for an eager and aggressive park owner to come in and change the mix of rides.
I sure hope the residents of Eagle Ridge understand how lucky they are to have the current neighbor next door that is non-profit with locally operated ownership and board of directors. Things would sure change if the park was operated by an outside, large theme park concessionaire.
Paul Nakamoto, Gilroy
Submitted Thursday, March 18 to [email protected]
