Could this be the end of Centreville?

[larrygator]

For the first time in almost 50 years, the city of Toronto is opening bids on the land where the Centreville Amusement Park resides instead of just offering the current operator the first right of refusal on renewing. The current operator is expected to make the winning build, but you never know.

 

http://www.globaltoronto.com/centreville+amusement+park+up+for+grabs+city+of+toronto/6442625405/story.html

 

Toronto Islands amusement park up for grabs: City of Toronto

Global News : Friday, April 20, 2012 7:12 PM

 

TORONTO - The lease between the City of Toronto and Centreville Amusement Park operator Beasley Amusements is up and this could mean the end of the line for rides at the Toronto Islands.

 

Instead of simply renewing, as they have for nearly half a century, the City is taking a different approach this time by putting the call out for anyone to bid on the contract to operate Centreville.

 

“Each period of time we refresh, we renew and perhaps even give opportunities for other people who have other ideas,” said Toronto City Councilor Pam McConnell.

 

The lease will come to an end later this year and even though it is business as usual for now, the park operator worries the open call could be disastrous.

 

“There are not a lot of people who do what we do and we've got tens of millions tied up in capital over there,” said Bill Beasley of Beasley Amusements.

 

With this uncertainty now hanging over the amusement parks head, the operator says they’re holding back on investments and improvements to the rides.

 

While it's believed the current operator has a good chance of winning a new deal with the City, there are no guarantees.

[gisco]

I can see where this could not be good. As the article mentions, they are holding off on improvements. If there is no guarantee that they will continue to operate the park, why invest when you may not get a return on it. This could be a downward spiral for the park.

[beatle11]

Beasley Amusements owns all the rides in the park as mentioned in the linked video. A new owner would have to buy out all the rides, or replace them. Not sure why they would want to screw with almost 50 years of tradition, unless they want to do something else with that land.

[mightypotato]

I have no idea why they wouldn't give Centreville first shot at the lease. It's a fantastic place for families to go in the summer (especially now that Ontario Place is dead).

[larrygator]

^because someone could bid more and every city in the world is looking for more money.

[A.J.]

Are all of Centreville's attractions transportable rides or are they permanent installations?

[larrygator]

I can't remember for sure, but I'm fairly certain that Haunted Barrel Works is permanent.

[niiicolaaah]

Yes, Haunted Barrel Works is permanent.

 

(What do I know, I live in VA? ... I grew up in Buffalo NY and visited Toronto frequently. )

[rollin_n_coastin]

Most are permanent/ park installations. Haunted Barrel Works, the log flume, indoor psychedelic scrambler, antique cars powered train and chair lift are permanent/ park models. The ferris wheel and powered dragon coaster are travelling models. It's also one of the city's small zoos.

 

It's a great all around addition for families with young kids visiting Centre Island and already fits the model the city wants for all non core services--contracting out the management of those services. Under current zoning, it couldn't be anything but park space and making it anything else would be shot down by counsel. With the current mayor, tradition of who is managing a service won't supersede an operator who can come in at a lower price. If Maid of the Mist can change operators with its history/ current ownership, this would be really simple to do in comparison.

 

This and other long term contract renewals are undergoing scrutiny given the scandal associated with the less than transparent long term contract renewal of concession stand managment at the city's parks when no competing bids were allowed or known of. Beasley will most likely be back, they'll just have to work a little for it this time around under a more transparent process that allows bidding.

[larrygator]

^thanks for the local insight Jason.

 

Although, now I'm upset I didn't see the indoor scrambler when I visited in 2008.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Larry, a pleasure.

 

It is amazingly cheesy (complete with light up skull thingy and wedding reception disco lighting) yet amazingly awesome. Happy to take a visit back over there if you ever make it backup.

[larrygator]

Larry, a pleasure.

 

It is amazingly cheesy (complete with light up skull thingy and wedding reception disco lighting) yet amazingly awesome. Happy to take a visit back over there if you ever make it backup.

 

I do not think I could ever voluntarily board that disgusting ferry again. I did not have a pleasant excursion, lots of foul smelling people.

[Coastinmiller]

Larry, a pleasure.

 

It is amazingly cheesy (complete with light up skull thingy and wedding reception disco lighting) yet amazingly awesome. Happy to take a visit back over there if you ever make it backup.

 

I do not think I could ever voluntarily board that disgusting ferry again. I did not have a pleasant excursion, lots of foul smelling people.

 

Arrgg...didn't want to hear that Larry, was planning on heading over Monday after the bash day.

[larrygator]

^Keep in mind I returned from the island later in the day. A lot of people go out there to picnic and use the recreational facilities so there were a lot of people returning on my ferry after playing soccer and who knows what else running around building up a sweat. And since it was a late boat back, it was packed.

[Coastinmiller]

^ Ok, I'll keep my plans in place This is a park we could hit in a few hours and get out of Toronto easily right? I plan on hitting Neb's Fun world and then wild water and wheels later in the same day.

[larrygator]

^ Ok, I'll keep my plans in place This is a park we could hit in a few hours and get out of Toronto easily right? I plan on hitting Neb's Fun world and then wild water and wheels later in the same day.

 

I'll leave it to a local to give you additional specifics. When I went I had to park in a lot that was about a 10 minute walk from the ferry in a traffic heavy/congested part of Toronto. Once you get off the ferry on Centreville Island it is a 15-20 walk to the ride area. I went on a weekend so I don't know if that affects the traffic patterns greatly, but the wait for the rides were about 15 minutes each.

[rollin_n_coastin]

Larry, wow, times must have changed, I don't remember the ferry being that exciting haha

 

^^I don't think it's worth it to go there just for Centreville. It's a really nice public park first and foremost. Queens Quay is a nice street to hang out on for a little while (a bit further west of the terminal). The lineups to get back to Toronto can be a one or two ferry wait sometimes on weekend evenings.

 

You can get there very easily with public transit as well as park at the lots that Larry mentioned along the harbourfront.

[Coastinmiller]

^^I don't think it's worth it to go there just for Centreville. It's a really nice public park first and foremost. Queens Quay is a nice street to hang out on for a little while (a bit further west of the terminal). The lineups to get back to Toronto can be a one or two ferry wait sometimes on weekend evenings.

 

You can get there very easily with public transit as well as park at the lots that Larry mentioned along the harbourfront.

 

 

Was just thinking about b/c they opened early (10:30) and had some time to kill. Neb's doesn't open till noon and doesn't have much, wild water &wheels same. We'll be staying in Kingston that night. I know Toronto traffic SUCKS, been threw that many times, but I figured Monday noon, won't be that bad. Besides I wouldn't mind whoring out the credit.

[niiicolaaah]

^thanks for the local insight Jason.

 

Although, now I'm upset I didn't see the indoor scrambler when I visited in 2008.

 

That scrambler is pretty awesome!! You missed out!

[ernierocker]

Just happened to be talking to my Mom this weekend about our trip years ago to Toronto and she reminded me that we actually went to this park! It's funny because the only thing I can really remember about the park now was the indoor scrambler. I just remember it being a ton of fun.

 

Hopefully, they get the lease worked out.

[1pizza14]

Ahh the indoor scrambler.. I seriously love that ride! I went to Toronto Islands last year for a bike ride.. the park was nicer than I remembered. Even though it wouldn't really be a terrible loss it would still be sad to see it go, lots of families go there every year.