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Koch family takes another step toward Kentucky park

February 8, 2012

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Arts & Entertainment, etc., Attractions, Tourism & Hospitality

The owners of Holiday World have taken another step toward re-opening an amusement park near Louisville known as Kentucky Kingdom that closed more than two years ago.

Four members of the Koch family, which owns Holiday World in Santa Claus in southwestern Indiana, have formed a company called Bluegrass Boardwalk in order to negotiate a lease agreement with the Kentucky State Fair Board and apply for economic incentives from the state, according to WAVE-TV.

Koch family spokeswoman Paula Werne says no public funding would be requested if the project continues.

Fair Board President Harold Workman said the group's top priority is to reopen the park by 2013.

The Koch family said in January that they were interested in the future of the park.

Six Flags, which previously operated Kentucky Kingdom, tried to renegotiate its lease with the fair board before deciding to close in 2010, but said the fair board wouldn't do so. Six Flags said "the rent was way too high, making it extremely difficult for the park to achieve profitability year in and year out."

Holiday World and Kentucky Kingdom are about 80 miles apart.

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Why does Indy STILL not have it's own park?

NickFebruary 8, 2012 11:39 PM
Why does Indianapolis still not have it's own amusement park? All of the competitors are far enough that our city could handle one. Kings Island is 130 miles away, Holiday World is just as far but takes much longer due to no interstate, and Indiana Beach is only about 100 miles but honestly they are not doing too well and aren't getting much business. I think a great location would be off of I-69 in Noblesville near the Hamilton Town Center. That would be in a less developed area so it could expand easier, still very close to Indy and all suburbs, and also not too far of a drive from other cities such as Muncie, Fort Wayne, and Kokomo. Opinions?

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Redevelopment Near Indy Zoo

Common CentsFebruary 8, 2012 3:29 PM
How about redeveloping the former GM stamping plant across from the Indianapolis zoo into an amusement/water park with a Great Wolf lodge?

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What about the Indiana State Fairgrounds?

Indiana RocksFebruary 8, 2012 2:57 PM
Could Indiana bid out a public/private partnership to create a year-round Amusement park at the Indiana State Fairgrounds?

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Indiana Tourism

Big IdeaFebruary 8, 2012 1:42 PM
Could Indiana develop a comprehensive public/private growth strategy AND marketing promotion to become the Midwest's entertainment capital?

50/50 public/private marketing program for two years?

Can these organizations work together?
(rising tide lifts all ships)

Potential partners:

Indiana Casinos
http://www.casinoassociation.org/

Indiana State Parks
http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2392.htm

Indiana Zoos
http://www.officialusa.com/stateguides/zoos/indiana.html

State Fairgrounds
http://www.in.gov/statefair/fairgrounds/

Indiana Amusement Parks:

Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana
http://www.holidayworld.com/

Indiana Beach in Monticello, Indiana
http://www.indianabeach.com/

Indiana Ski Resorts:

Perfect North in Lawrenceburg, Indiana
http://www.perfectnorth.com/

Paoli Peaks in Paoli, Indiana
http://www.paolipeaks.com/

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Anything an improvement

ObserverFebruary 8, 2012 1:31 PM
Kentucky Kingdom closed largely because it was always dirty and was never an attractive option for families or people interested in a good time at a theme park.

The Koch family must see a "viable" opportunity and based on their success with Holiday World, it would be hard to argue with their ability to succeed. But, you have to wonder to what extent does it take away from Holiday World? Then again, if all the money is going in one pocket, do you really care? Stay tuned - as I think it will fall to the Koch's ability to get a good lease from the folks at the Fair.

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Amusement is big business

Common CentsFebruary 8, 2012 12:48 PM
Indiana amusement parks are feeling the heat from surrounding states trying to lure tourism dollars.

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