Friday, May 26, 2000
Americana to reopen under new owner
By Randy McNutt
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Kids should be back in the bumper cars by July.
(Gary Landers photo)
| ZOOM |
|
MONROE — Americana Amusement Park, an icon here for generations, will reopen this summer with a new name and a local owner who promises to “do everything right.”
Jerry Couch, owner of Couch's Campers Inc. in St. Clair Township, bought the park Wednesday from Park River Corp., owner of Coney Island. The selling price was not disclosed.
Park River, citing lower than expected attendance, announced last winter that it would not reopen the Butler County landmark this year and was looking for a buyer.
“The park's had some bad publicity in the past and four owners in 30 years,” Mr. Couch said Thursday. “But we're here to stay. I say "we' because I want this to be my family's operation. We have been in business in Butler County for 75 years — nearly as long as the park.”
He said he will change the park's name to Americana at LeSourdsville Lake out of respect for the 77-year-old park's heritage; it began as LeSourdsville Lake.
“We have a lot of ground here, and we can add a garden center and a campground and other things,” said Mr. Couch, a Hamilton native. “The park is very clean and ready. We'll make sure that we do everything right.”
His immediate problem is finding employees.
“The job market is tight and I've missed the window of opportunity to hire kids who are getting out of school,” he said. “But we'll be ready, possibly in July.”
His problem in the long run will be more difficult — salvaging a smaller amusement park in an era of mega-theme parks.
But Mr. Couch thinks he can do it, for he brings to the job a zeal that he says can come only with local ownership.
“The park is rated as one of the top ones for its size in the United States,” he said.
“It still has many remnants of the past, like Stardust Gardens. We'll keep the good ones and make improvements. We want to take this park a step further.”
Ed Shelley, president of the Armco Employees Independent Federation at nearby AK Steel, said Americana was “a really good place for a union picnic, a family-type picnic.”
“The union — and even the company — used to sponsor picnics there,” said Barb Perkins of the union office. “It was convenient to have a local place available.”
News of the purchase was welcomed by Curt Arulf Jr., Butler County's economic development administrator.
“The county will receive revenues from sales taxes, of course, but I think people look upon the park as a landmark,” he said. “They'd hate to see it go away.”
Contrary to public perception, smaller parks are faring surprising well these days, said Joel Cliff, a spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions in Arlington, Va.
“Parks like Americana are a nostalgic and valued piece of the community,” he said. “When they are threatened, the community tends to rally around them. There are benefits to being smaller and intimate.”
Of the nation's estimated 450 amusement parks, only 50 attract more than a million visitors annually, he said.
That small-park atmosphere wasn't lost on Vic Nolting, Park River's chief operating officer. He said he received numerous offers for Americana, but he preferred to sell to local people with sufficient resources.
Mr. Nolting said the company did not want to sell Americana's rides individually, for that would end the historic park.
“But they were getting close,” Mr. Couch said. “They were ready to auction it. To their credit, they worked hard to make sure the park stayed where it belonged.”
Park River bought Americana in 1996 from Leisure Systems Inc. and spent about $4 million to improve it. But attendance failed to rise to expected levels.
Nevertheless, Mr. Couch is convinced that it can be profitable. He hopes to generate additional income by operating ancillary attractions on the park's 68 acres, including boat and camper shows and off-season events at Halloween and Christmas.
Americana has been attracting Butler County families for decades. It is known for its 1920s roller coaster, the Cyclone, now the Screechin' Eagle.
Though he's excited about the sale, Mr. Couch doesn't underestimate the drawing power of Paramount's Kings Island, less than 20 miles away in Warren County.
He said he is confident that Americana can improve on last year's attendance — more than 300,000 people. By comparison, that's less than one-tenth of Kings Island's gate.
“How does David take on Goliath?” asked Mr. Cliff. “Small parks focus on the entire family. They attract local people, not tourists. They offer lower prices.”
Park buyer no stranger in Butler
Study: Festivals worth millions
Termites ready to stop swarming, start eating
Americana to reopen under new owner
Port authority asked for Banks
Sentinels: Don't let chief's slur slide
'Son of Beast' cleared to reopen
Ambulance firm owes $861K, Ohio says
Basilica altar will be moved
Miss America helps veteran, family go home
Bank robberies up this year
Clerk wings would-be bandit
Deal lets Bengals manage stadium
Hillary Clinton comes back to Cincinnati for more money
List of Memorial Day observances
Butler County
Clermont County
Hamilton County
Northern Kentucky
Warren County
ADHD.com pays attention to parents
GET TO IT
Grandmother tries heal old hatreds
Brichto's projects build understanding
Leis defends views on Mapplethorpe
Pig Parade: Marbleized (Pig)ment
Retiree spreads his success to others
Search ends for CCM dean
Send us your cyber-speak
5 named to board of MRDD
Carjackings begin with holdup at ATM
Central State reduces student loan defaults
Crisis Card offers hope in palm of hand
Four honored for civic service
Ky. tobacco farmers get $140 million
Newport wary of gambling plan
Officer sues two Ludlow councilmen
Phone tax to finally die
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
Tristate Digest
Visit helps cheer ailing classmate
