NEWS: Clementon Park sold to former Six Flags execs

[jedimaster1227]

Clementon Park has sent us a press release regarding the sale of their park to new ownership, several former executives of Six Flags tenure.

 

Clementon Park and Splash World has been acquired by an investor group led by former Six Flags executives Kieran Burke and Gary Story. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

 

“We are excited about the opportunity to enhance the entertainment value of this historic park that has always enjoyed a strong group outing business and local market visitation,” said Burke. “Clementon Park and Splash World offers guests quality family entertainment, close to home and at an affordable price.”

 

“While exploring the opportunity to acquire Clementon Park and Splash World, we were impressed by the park’s loyal customer base and the densely-populated South Jersey/Philadelphia area that surrounds the park”, commented Burke. “Having operated for 104 years, the park has entertained generations of families and we hope to continue that tradition as well as attract new visitors to the park.”

 

Clementon Park and Splash World has been revitalized in recent years with the addition of four major new attractions. The park enjoys a reputation for service, cleanliness and affordability. Staying on board to lead the park’s continued development and progress is David Dorman, Vice President and General Manager and Marjorie Ford, the park’s longtime Group Sales Manager.

 

Burke and Story, who respectively served as Six Flags’ Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer for more than 10 years, have remained active in the attractions industry carefully selecting projects that can benefit from their experience and a focused investment of both time and resources. In 2009, they acquired Nashville Shores, a water park, marina and RV resort in Nashville, TN and in 2010 purchased Ocean Breeze Water Park in Virginia Beach, VA. In both cases the pair dramatically transformed these properties providing a greatly enhanced guest experience.

 

The new owners are planning improvements to Clementon Park and Splash World for the 2012 season which will be announced at a later date. Discussions are underway but specific plans are not yet available.

Edited March 3, 2012 by jedimaster1227

[RoCo]

Interesting. Slowly rebuilding their theme park empire.

[Shavethewhales]

Ugh, I was hoping they'd settle down and actual focus on improving the properties they've already got (namely Frontier City). At this rate they're just going to end up with a bunch of crappy properties that they neglect until their empire crumbles again.

[thrillerman1]

I want to say "Oh dear" to this, but to their credit they've actually done a pretty good job upgrading Nashville Shores since acquiring it recently. In just two years they've added a new wave pool, lazy river, and kids play area as well as other general improvements to the park.

[larrygator]

^Thanks Mark, I haven't been following Burke and Story since they got back in the game and was wondering if the PR statement about greatly enhancing guest experience was fact or hyperbole.

[HowieP]

I wonder if Alabama Adventure is included in the purchase...

[jzoole]

I think Kieran Burke is an idiot and I will never forgive what he did to Astroworld. Good luck Clementon.

Edited November 23, 2011 by jzoole

[cal1br3tto]

I'm not a fan of the park, so hopefully this change will help it improve. I'm sure I'm not the only enthusiast who would only go back if they add a major coaster.

[forces]

^No Laura you are not. Although their Torpedo Rush slide and Hell Cat coaster are fun, they and the rest of the park is really not enough for me to make the drive for. We'll see what the future holds....

[gisco]

Interesting. Looks like they are mostly in water parks so far. By acquiring more parks they gain leverage in obtaining money to improve the parks. Look for them to add a few more small parks in the next few years. Then they will try and sell the whole package.

[BuddyChrist]

I've never gone to Clementon and probably never will, doesn't really appeal to me.

 

Now if Hellcat got the Rocky Mountain treatment, I may reconsider.

[montezooma]

I think Kieran Burke is an idiot and I will never forgive what he did to Astroworld. Good luck Clementon.

 

Don’t forget, before Six Flags what these two guys did wonders for the small to mid size parks around the country. I think good things are in store for this park and the one in Nashville too.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.amusementtoday.com/clementon-park-and-splash-world-announces-huge-new-attraction/

 

Clementon Park and Splash World announced, on February 29, the largest expansion in the water park’s history including the addition of the 23,000-square foot Big Wave Bay wave pool. The new massive attraction will start making waves Memorial Day Weekend when the Park opens its gates for its 105th consecutive operating season.

 

Clementon Park and Splash World was acquired in November 2011 by an investor group led by former Six Flags executives Kieran Burke and Gary Story. At the time of the acquisition the new owners promised significant improvements in time for the 2012 season.

 

“We are thrilled to be bringing such a large, spectacular, family-friendly attraction to Clementon Park and Splash World so soon after acquiring the Park,” said Burke. “This extraordinary wave pool and its enormous capacity puts our water park on par with the best in the country and lines up perfectly with whom we are and what we offer – two great parks in one showcasing quality, close-to-home family entertainment at an affordable price.”

 

Included in the expansion are new restrooms, changing rooms and ten gigantic 20’ shade structures installed throughout the expansion to provide comforting shade on those super sunny summer days. Two major food service facilities are being expanded to offer popular fare and to drastically increase speed of service. The Park is also introducing its first Tiki Bar, offering adult beverages and big screen television viewing. And new cabanas, getting installed atop the famous cylindrical Cove Restaurant, will offer Guests shade, comfort and exclusive privacy while overlooking the frolicking fun at Big Wave Bay or the beauty of sparkling Clementon Lake.

 

“The addition of Big Wave Bay marks the fifth, and most sensational, major attraction introduced at Clementon Park and Splash World in the last five years,”, said David Dorman, the Park’s General Manager. “The changes have been truly transformational. If a family has not been here before, or not visited in a while, they will be wowed by improvements.”

 

Clementon Park and Splash World, located in Clementon, NJ, is among the oldest operating parks in the country and has been operating since 1907. Founded by NJ Assemblyman Theodore Gibbs as a simple swimming operation on Clementon Lake, the property steadily grew by offering rides, attractions and a water park.

 

Other recent additions include Laguna Kahuna, a five-story, one-acre Polynesian water play land; Ring of Fire, a thrilling 60-foot looping coaster; Thunder Drop featuring a 100-foot free fall; and Torpedo Rush, the world’s tallest dueling trap door speed slides. Today the park boasts 17 rides, a vibrant midway and 8 major water park attractions and hosts hundreds of group outings each season.