CLP Junction

[Junction118]

On Wednesday CLP secured a $250,000 loan and park employees returned to work preparing the park for it's Memorial Day weekend opening. The park still must get court approval for the loan.

Conneaut Lake Park will open pending approval by judge
http://www.meadvilletribune.com/features/local_story_123223900.html?keyword=topstory

Conneaut Lake Park's workers return to jobs
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060504/NEWS05/605040383

Conneaut Lake Park Saved By Last Minute Loan
http://www.35wsee.com/news2a.cfm?more=8699&category=1&news=fullstory

[bigkirby]

Very good news!

What is especially good is that it appears many of the outlets that reported the park's financial crisis have gone and announced that that park will in fact be open. Hopefully this will help to eliminate rumors of the place closed and won't cause people to stay away.
_________________
-Evan

[Junction118]

If the park can get this much media attention on opening day that would help end some of the rumors too.

There's another article in the print version of today's Tribune that didnt make it to the website. The estimate for repair of the train is down to $40,150 and it could go lower. The park has also received an offer of help from The French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society which could lower the cost even more. So with the new estimate the campaign is at 49% of the goal right now with $19,650.

[cappy]

That is terrific news about the Train! Bravo to the French Creek Valley RR Historical society! I had always wondered with so many railroad organizations in the state, why one could not adopt the train to get in back in operation and keep it running. Railroaders have a special love for trains, so glad to hear that the French Creek Valley RR society is going to help get the Park's train back in gear!

[Junction118]

While it's great that the park is going to be open this summer, there's still a lot of questions about the park's future....

-We still have to wait til early next week to find out if the judge approved the loan, but i don't think there's gonna be a problem with that

-One of those articles mentions that former owner Gary Harris is attempting to get the judge to delay the sale. If I remember correctly the Flynn House was one of the properties that Harris claimed ownership of after the park was donated to the people. I can't say I'm too surprised that he would pop up again now since he seems to be determined to do as much damage as he can to the park. All of his previous attempts to claim ownership of various park properties have been denied, hopefully the results will be the same this time.

and the one big question mark left....

-Management, management, management......George Deshner has done an admirable job in his short time at the helm of CLP but he lacks the experience needed to make the park competetive. This park needs a real management team ASAP. This summer will be critical to the park's survival. Once the Flynn property is sold and most if not all of the park's debt is retired CLP will be in better shape than it has been in almost 10 years. I'm not saying George shouldn't be involved with the park in the future, he seems to genuinely enjoy the job and his knowledge of the park would be a benefit to the next park manager. LeRoy Stearns needs to stay as far away from the park as possible. He seems to be taking (and getting) credit for getting the loan this week when all he did was answer the phone when First National called. If the park finds itself in the same position next year it's hard to imagine a positive outcome. If the park can't come up with the funds it requires to open next summer on its own all those people who call for the place to be "bulldozed" may just get their wish.

[bigkirby]

Gary Harris is a clown who throws a hissy fit at every turn because he's mad at the world for busting his IRS scamming ponzi scheme.

That being said, I think George could be a good GM but he needs to do the following:

Bring in an amusement park veteran for long term planning. George's knowledge of the community is a plus and I think he can work out the operational things, but he needs someone with experience who can put the numbers with the business.

Return phone calls of people who are trying to help. I sent several emails and made calls that were never returned offering to help with the introduction of a parking charge because I knew it was something they are not familiar with and I understand how people react to prices. I am always willing to help but some people might let their offer drop.

Dress like a general manager. At the February meeting he looked like the firestation's janitor by wearing ripped jeans and a shirt too small. Not at all like someone professional in a meeting with the owners of the business (which is the role of the community) and regional media.
Walk around the park in nice pants and a polo shirt, or better yet a shirt and tie.

Force the employees to smile and tuck in their shirts. Image is everything and these people have gotton away with everything with the lax management.


Things are looking good from here!
_________________
-Evan

[jimmyt]

[quote="bigkirby"]
Force the employees to smile and tuck in their shirts. Image is everything and these people have gotton away with everything with the lax management.[/quote]

Exactly my beef with them over the past several years. The uniforms are dirty and don't fit; several of the workers you would expect to see at a carnival. And if they are grumpy, don't let them work in Kiddieland. Both Cappy and I worked at the Park for several years and the attitude of some of these employees would have never made it in the 70's and 80's.

[midwave]

Woohoo!
My bank is the loan company!
Wonder if i can get into their company picnic at CLP....
_________________
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[cappy]

I agree that one of the biggest issues that the Park faces if it intends to survive is management. From what I can see, George is doing a good job at cleaning up all the old mess and trying to get things in order. But it is a whole different story when running the Park during season and still trying to address all the outstanding issues. Time will tell on that. It bothers me to hear that people with knowledge offer to help like Bigkirby and he is ignored. Just a sign I think that George can not do it all, but appears that he is.

I am still perplexed about where the Park's future alies. I'll be really curious to see this master plan/business plan that the judge ordered to be developed using the state awarded grant money. Hopefully it will address alot of the unkowns! Like is the Park going to remain a public held entity, who will then control it once the bills are paid and the court appointed management removed, will it then fall under a state or county agency or be an independant entity, is the court in it for the long haul or is it just positioning the Park to be attractive to some prospective buyer once the debts are paid.

In the meantime, Bigkirby is right on the money in saying image is everything! It is a no brainer that during public meeting anyone and everyone connected to the Park should look thier best! Management and employees alike! I could not agree more what what Jimmyt wrote about the carnival atmosphere, I had the same impression walking the Midway last year. Maybe that was a by-product of leasing out the games and all, but still it gets back to image! The Park will never compete with the big boys, but it can create its own market. People want to come to a place to have fun! One that is clean and friendly! When Jimmyt and I worked there everyone was issued a uniform shirt, each area of the Park (rides, games, etc) wore a different color shirt and then shirts were to be tucked in and if not, you got told about it! Employees were to look presentable or they were not going to be employees! And to think we got like $1.40 an hour when minimum wage was like $2.40. But we did it, enjoyed it and were proud to work there and have great memories. Now I'm not saying that the Park needs to run out and buy uniform shirts, but it does not cost management a thing to enforce it's employees to be at least presentable and put on a good image for the Park. Keep the place clean and presentable. Look at Disney, it is all about image to them! But it also takes good management too!