MONROE — When the former Americana reopens as the Great American Amusement Park at LeSourdsville Lake, it will feature 10 new rides, lower prices and a $3 million renovation program.

        “It will be better than ever,” owner Jerry Couch said. “The new management team has put a lot of effort into the park. It shows in the number of rides.”

        Tuesday, Great American announced its planned reopening and revamped operations three years after the park closed. Admission will be only $2.95 per person and visitors will “pay as they play,” with most ride and game tickets costing $1 and a few major rides $2.

        All-ride passes will cost $14.95, and $9.95 after 4 p.m.

        “We are returning to the past when families could go to their local amusement park and pay only for what they use,” said spokesman Mike Mefford. “A pay-one-price front gate penalizes you if you don't want — or get — to ride everything during your stay.”

        Great American will have more than 40 rides, including some vintage ones like the Whip and the Skyride. New rides will include the Swinging Pirate Ship, the Zipper and a funhouse.

        “We've got a nice opportunity to continue the tradition and history here,” Mr. Mefford said of the park, which opened as LeSourdsville Lake in 1922.

        He said a new management team, Pugh Shows of Lancaster, has been in the entertainment business for 30 years. The park's president is Tom Pugh. His LeSourdsville Group has leased the park from Mr. Couch.

        The new team will keep the park open Thursday through Sunday. The company is scrambling to hire 250 to 300 employees, and plans to open Memorial Day weekend.

        Mr. Couch bought the Butler County park in May 2000 from Park River Corp., owner of Coney Island, for an undisclosed sum.

        Mr. Couch had hoped to reopen in 2001. But he later said he needed more time to develop adjoining property and assemble a management team.

Photographer's sentence: 2
County has less cash for bills
Waagner tries to make abortion part of defense
Coffee house glorifies God
Evendale citizens to file lawsuit
Old Americana adding 10 rides, lower prices
Police kidnapping case backed by two
School levy deadline near in Norwood
Tristate A.M. Report
Willie clears the air at City Hall
Wyoming rejects helmet law
BRONSON: Packin' heat
HOWARD: Some Good News
SAMPLES: Private property
SMITH AMOS: Fond farewell
Brown outspends Turner for Congress
New business center developing
Heimlich backs law
Village bought out from beneath cloud
Businessman to run for governor
Covington defends tear down of camp
Kentucky News Briefs
Newport, NAACP to meet
Panel: Court reporting could improve
Pewee puts cap on height of towers
Robert Stephens mourned
Sewage-treatment plant dispute remains unresolved
Shooting range plan draws fire
Technical college receives land gift