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SpringsValley.com News
Lexington, KY USA
By Megan Adams, SpringsValley.com News Staff

Despite the onslaught of recent lay-offs and business closures that have come to be expected during these poor economic conditions, it can still be rather startling to learn of the end of such an established corporate enterprise as Louisville's Kentucky Kingdom.
The park opened in 1987, was briefly closed, and reopened in 1990, becoming a major financial asset to the Louisville area in the following decades. In 1997 the park had more visitors than Churchill Downs.

Recent years have been tough for Kentucky Kingdom, now operating under the ownership of Six Flags. Between the recession and two major incidents involving the serious injury of park-goers from amusement rides, the company has been struggling to remain open. Yesterday the park made the announcement that it would not re-open for the 2010 season.

From a February 4th Six Flags Press Release:

Six Flags announced today that as it nears the scheduled end of its restructuring process, it has decided to reject its lease with the Kentucky State Fair Board relating to the Kentucky Kingdom park. In recent weeks, Six Flags had proposed a new lease arrangement to the fair board that would have enhanced the viability and future of the park. Unfortunately, those proposals were not accepted and the park will cease operations. The company will move to re-locate employees and many of the more than 40 rides and attractions to one of its 13 other markets.

"We are deeply disappointed to be leaving such a great fan base in the greater metropolitan area of Louisville and we are grateful to the thousands of employees at Kentucky Kingdom and the millions of guests for their dedication, support and loyalty over the years," said Mark Shapiro, Six Flags President and CEO.

"This action relates solely to Kentucky Kingdom," Shapiro continued. "The substantial lease
payment has been a significant hurdle for this park in recent years. Our other parks, which reside
largely on company-owned land, will be completely unaffected and will open as scheduled for the full 2010 season."

Despite claims that the park will be relocating employees, the economic impact that the closure will have on the Greater Louisville area will likely be unfavorable. The closing of such a popular family attraction will, at the very least, be a bruise to the morale of the area.

It is unknown how Holiday World, the family-owned amusement park in Santa Claus, Indiana, is fairing during the same economic conditions that have seen the end of so many entertainment based businesses. While the 63 year old park seems to be holding its own, the closure of perhaps its biggest rival, only a 1 hour drive away, will likely provide a considerable boost to the park in the coming years, a favorable result for Southern Indiana's own recovering economy.

But whatever the impact of the closing of this beloved