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Kernels - January 2010
IAAPA has appointed long-serving executive Susan Mosedale as its interim chief operating officer as the association seeks a new president and CEO following the departure of Charlie Bray. Mosedale has served with IAAPA for 18 years and recently graduated from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management.
The UK’s Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced a £45 million ($70m/E53m) increase in grants to arts, sport, heritage and voluntary projects in the financial year from March 2011 to 2012. Operators of privately-funded attractions, including several British amusement parks, have been hostile to what they few as unfair state-funded competition from previously funded projects. The increase in funding is due to an increased allocation for heritage projects and strong lottery ticket sales.
Martin and Vleminckx is re-erecting the Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach, Greeen Bay, Wisconsin. The coaster originally operated at Freedomland in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1923 through 2005. John Miller originally designed the 2,865ft-long coaster.
As well as a KMG Fireball (see last issue) for Morey's Piers, Rides-4-U has also sold two KMG rides to carnival operators in North and South America including a Fun Factory to James H Drew Shows and an Inversion to Mike Safie in El Salvador.
Gosetto is to supply a dark ride to Etnaland in Sicily. The park’s owner’s have yet to decide a theme for the ride, or whether it will be interactive. Gosetto is also working on two other dark rides, including the new look Blå Tåget at Gröna Lund in Stockholm and a ride for Rainbow Magic Land near Rome.
ETF Ride Systems is to supply a pedal-powered ride to Europa-Park for the 2011 season. More details of this and ETF’s dark ride projects will follow in due course.
Michigan’s Adventure amusement park, Muskegon, Michigan, will introduce a giant interactive water play attraction in 2011 at its WildWater Adventure Waterpark. From Whitewater West, Beach Party will feature the first-of-its-kind giant geyser, which blasts water over 90ft in the air. The multi-level play structure will also incorporate over 150 play features.
Alterface has appointed a sales and service representative for its multimedia attractions in the United States. Backstage Connections, based in Branson, Missouri, will offer a high level of technical expertise and support to the Belgian company’s American clients. Backstage owner and founder Tom Gass is the operator of an Alterface interactive haunted house at Branson’s Hollywood Wax Museum.
Valerio Mazzoli of the eponymous Orlando-based design studio recently delivered a themed interior to a new toy store in Rome. Little Big Town (www.littlebigtown.it) opened on November 26. Mazzoli also continues to work on a number of theme park projects in Turkey and Italy, including Cinecitti Studios in Rome. www.valeriomazzoli.com
England’s West Midland Safari Park has received a silver award in the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) for its efforts in sustainability and good working practices. www.wmsp.co.uk
A multi-million dollar family wave pool will replace an aging 1930s swimming pool at Idlewild & SoakZone in Pennsylvania during the coming season. The new addition will be provided by the Aquatic Development Group and surrounding chaise lounges and cabanas for hire.
