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CLP Junction
Conneaut Lake Park Discussion
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Junction118
Site Admin
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 210
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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 Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: CLP will not open |
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From the Meadville Tribune...
| Quote: | Conneaut Lake Park will be closed, effective immediately.
The announcement, certain to come as bad news to many local observers, was made this morning following a meeting at the park office. Although an anonymous donor had indicated interest in supporting the park on Monday, the support was to be a loan, not a donation, park officials later learned. However, previous decisions had been made to not accept any more start-up loans for the 115-year-old amusement park.
Leroy Stearns, court-appointed custodian, said he will seek a petition to have the custodian removed from directing any further park operations.
Although previously there were plans for a farewell concert this weekend, that has been canceled, as has the DoWopp Weekend that had been scheduled to start Friday.
All employees have been laid off, park officials said.
Money from a recent token drive will be used to pay bills instead of as start-up funds for the 2007 season. |
From WJET-TV
| Quote: | | Conneuat Lake Park will not hold its traditional Do-Wop weekend this Memorial Day weekend; in fact; the park is closed for the summer, effective immediately.. This news comes after park officials were unable to work out the details of a 30-thousand dollar gift to the park, that would have given it the cash it needed to open for the Memorial Day weekend. This is bad news for Conneaut Lake Park residents and business owners, who see the park as essential to the economic health of the Conneaut Lake region. Park Custodian Leroy Stearns said he will petition the court to remove himself as park custodian. He said options for the court may include appointing a new custodian to take his place; appointing a board of directors to oversee the park; appointing a liquidation custodian to oversee liquidation of park assets to help pay debt. Park employees who had been working to get Conneaut Lake Park in shape for Memorial Day weekend have been told they are to make arrangements to pick up their belongings. Money raised through a coin sale will be used to pay park debts, instead of helping to open the park. This is the second time in a decade the 115 year old amusement park will be silent for the summer. |
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07142/788061-100.stm
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070522/NEWS02/70522010
It's a shame things had to happen like this after so many people worked so hard to get the park ready for this weekend.
Once LeRoy is removed as custodian we may see some action from local businesses to get something going at the park this summer, but with a guaranteed loan due in June it could be too late. |
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clpgoodguy
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Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 21
Location: California
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 3:01 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I have no words. I'm not surprised. I just have no words. Beyond sad, angry, or disappointed. It's like it already happened. I believe that all of the stuff lately was just a big dog and pony show, and I have believed it since last year. I believe that they were never planning on opening back up from last year. When I was there Labor Day weekend, I kind of knew that the Park had seen it's last glory days at least until the current organizational structure changes again. It's sad who we trust these days. People think they're so smart, and they know nothing. Often these people are the ones who get ahead in the world and by their stupidity and manipulation hold the good people back.
Looks like the almighty dollar has won again... I'm more disappointed in myself that I couldn't do anything further for the Park. From one Park-lover to another, I am truly sorry that I could not be a better person, and that I let you all down. |
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myself
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Joined: 09 Aug 2006
Posts: 126
Location: West Mifflin, PA
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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I don't think you let anyone down clpgoodguy. I also have no words. We'll have to find another place to go this summer. We'll see what kind of adventure the 2008 season brings. I have not lost hope yet. I know one day we will all ride the Blue Streak once again.
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myself, AKA andy_e219
Conneaut Lake Park 2009 |
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Sabulodes
Member
Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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| clpgoodguy wrote: | Well, I have no words. I'm not surprised. I just have no words. Beyond sad, angry, or disappointed. It's like it already happened. I believe that all of the stuff lately was just a big dog and pony show, and I have believed it since last year. I believe that they were never planning on opening back up from last year. When I was there Labor Day weekend, I kind of knew that the Park had seen it's last glory days at least until the current organizational structure changes again. It's sad who we trust these days. People think they're so smart, and they know nothing. Often these people are the ones who get ahead in the world and by their stupidity and manipulation hold the good people back.
Looks like the almighty dollar has won again... I'm more disappointed in myself that I couldn't do anything further for the Park. From one Park-lover to another, I am truly sorry that I could not be a better person, and that I let you all down. |
You have not done anything to let anyone down. On the contrary, I have enjoyed coming to this site to read your posts. I know you're upset and disappointed. But this is probably not over, so you need to get through today so you can be ready to help in the battle that is likely ahead. |
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rollocst
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Joined: 05 Jun 2005
Posts: 34
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 8:49 pm Post subject: Re: CLP will not open |
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For some reason I felt much better about the park situation at the end of last year, sure that the land sale would clear the park's debt, compared to the previous year where I really wasn't sure that the park would open in 2006. I guess I was wrong.
I figured the land sale was a slam dunk, what we had been waiting for to clear the debt. I still can't figure out why the land didn't end up being sold to someone (not necessarily to Sutterlin) for at least $2.5 million, especially when I look at those huge houses on the east side of the lake.
Whether the park has a future is obviously uncertain but we surely have a reason to stick around here and keep tabs on what happens next even if it isn't good news. It's good to be around people who care about the park.
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Junction118
Site Admin
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 210
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 2:05 am Post subject: |
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I had the same thoughts following the 2006 season as rollocst. It seemed that the land sale was a done deal and the park would be able to start strong this year without the traditional springtime uncertainty. Even though park management has made a lot of mistakes I place most of the blame for this fiasco on Judge Vardaro. The parks plans were centered around the sale after the judge told them it was ok to sell the land. Then the sale was rejected by that very same judge and the park was left scrambling to find a way to open. I'm definitely not letting Stearns & Deshner off the hook here but they really didn't have much to work with after the sale was rejected. However, I do have to wonder why Sutterlin's proposal was never re-submitted to the judge after it was changed.
After reading the posts on the Tribune website and seeing some of the interviews on WJET i have the feeling that this is far from being over. The is plenty of support for the park in the community. If the judge appoints a new park board we could see some action from local businesses. They already saved the park once by purchasing many of the rides at auction back in 1996. Honestly, I think if the park had opened this weekend it would've taken a miracle for things to go smoothly. With no money & few employees the results could have been disastrous. The best thing that could happen now is for the judge to appoint a new park board and find a way to get the major profit centers of the park open on weekends at least by July 4. (Beach Club, Hotel Conneaut, Camperland)
The part of this whole mess that irritates me the most is that the state had no problem quickly approving the $100K+ grant to fund the master plan but when the time came to actually open the park there was no $$ to be found. Very typical of this state, always doing things backwards.
Nobody posting here has any reason to apologize for anything. Showing support for the park here does more than buying a $5 token would. What seems to be missed in a lot of the news stories about the park closing is that the park IS still there. It's not going to disappear overnight. There's a long battle ahead and if/when the park does reopen the info in this forum will help bring people back to the park. |
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jimmyt
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Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 4:18 am Post subject: |
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| I agree with Junction, I think it would have done more harm than good to be open if everything, or nearly everything, wasn't just right. I worked there several years, a few of them full time. I know we started in March to get the Park ready by Memorial Day weekend. I know everyone, including the volunteers, worked their a$$ off trying to get ready, but I don't think it was enough. By that I mean, there is no way the Park was going to be ready. The goal should not be to open the Park, but rather to open a PROFITABLE and SELF-SUSTAINING Park. As I stated here earlier, there is more going on than meets the eye. Time will soon tell. If there is anything good to come from this, it's that Leroy will be gone soon. |
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Junction118
Site Admin
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 210
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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jimmyt
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Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 377
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| Remember, after the original land sale failed to get any buyers, and before Mr Sutterleins proposal, there were two, if not more, offers to run/lease the entire Park; these were turned down by Leroy, and never presented to the judge. There are many rumors flying around right now and it's very difficult to separate fact from fiction, but one common theme is there are several different groups committed to getting the Park open by July 4th. |
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pianotech1
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Joined: 22 May 2007
Posts: 88
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| Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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| What's the answer to make it a viable, self-sustaining operation, though? Giving it money every year is addressing the symptom, not the problem, I think. That's why every year it's in the same dire straits. I can't believe that that park in that location can't make a go of it if it is managed and operated correctly. What I don't know is what exactly "correctly" is. Finding its niche and marketing to it, I guess. |
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Sabulodes
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Joined: 01 May 2007
Posts: 36
Location: Pittsburgh
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| pianotech1 wrote: | | What's the answer to make it a viable, self-sustaining operation, though? Giving it money every year is addressing the symptom, not the problem, I think. That's why every year it's in the same dire straits. I can't believe that that park in that location can't make a go of it if it is managed and operated correctly. What I don't know is what exactly "correctly" is. Finding its niche and marketing to it, I guess. |
I totally agree...this park is located within a short distance from several fairly large cities. Not to mention it is on a large, very nice lake and only a few miles from Pymatuning as well. Marketed and operated well, the place would succeed.
How does Knoebel's succeed? |
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clpgoodguy
Member
Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 21
Location: California
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I just wanted to say God Bless Conneaut Lake Park. My wish to you is that we take a small part of CLP with us, wherever we are on life's journey. |
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GuapoDugh
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Joined: 20 Nov 2005
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:24 pm Post subject: |
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I don't know if anyone else has seen this but on the CLP Preservation Society website there is a link to a site that seems to answer lots of questions that keep reappearing...
check it out:
http://www.truthaboutconneautlakepark.com |
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Junction118
Site Admin
Joined: 04 Apr 2005
Posts: 210
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 12:20 am Post subject: |
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The most interesting thing on that website is the copy of the park's deed...
http://www.truthaboutconneautlakepark.com/images/CLP_Deed.pdf
In other news....it looks like Greg Sutterlin is making some progress with his fundraising campaign, in 2 days he's come up with almost as much as the token campaign did in a month
From WJET-TV...
| Quote: | There's growing momentum to open Conneaut Lake Park this season. What was billed as a one-day campaign to raise 100-thousand dollars has been extended. Greg Sutterline of Conneaut Lake says the fund has raised $18,600 so far, with more to come. He told Action News 24 Thursday that someone has stepped forward to donate the money it will take to open just the Beach Club for the summer. Now park officials are calculating what that would cost.
Sutterline and fellow Conneaut Lake resident Dick Williams have each donated 5-thousand dollars to the cause. Anyone wanting to make a tax deductible donation can contact Conneaut Lake Park. But a reminder that 115-year old amusement park will not be open Memorial Day weekend |
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clpgoodguy
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Joined: 03 May 2007
Posts: 21
Location: California
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| Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 1:05 am Post subject: |
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| Junction118 wrote: |
It looks like Greg Sutterlin is making some progress with his fundraising campaign, in 2 days he's come up with almost as much as the token campaign did in a month |
The Token Campaign is pathetic. I'm sorry but I would be embarrassed if that was the best I could come up with. Let's get $300,000 in a month, 5 cents at a time. And it takes many MAN HOURS to run a campaign like that, so the $5.00 is actually more like $2.00 when you come right down to it... Yep, that'll do it... Ok, time to move on,
The lease IS interesting. What if Greg Sutterlin was given a shot at running the Park? I've met the man. A lot of us have... It couldn't hurt. |
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