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Kent Buescher,owner
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2004 Prospective Gardens buyer meets local officials No decision yet on Winter Haven's or county's $2.5M share of purchase Thursday, January 8, 2004 County will buy into Gardens Another penny on tourist tax would recoup Polk's $2.5 million investment Wednesday, January 14, 2004 Gardens ticket-tax idea appears unworkable Some hotel owners may not like the idea of making tourists pay to save Cypress Gardens, but the only other option being thrown around right now to come up with $2.5 million appears to be illegal. Thursday, January 15, 2004 Hotel guests shouldn't shoulder all of $2.5M Gardens cost, TDC says If the Tourist Development Council has its way, county commissioners won't make people staying in Polk's hotels and motels foot the entire bill to help save Cypress Gardens. www.polktaxes.com Joe G. Tedder Tax Collector for Polk County, FL www.polktaxes.com/touristdev Tourist Development Tax Reports Friday, January 16, 2004 Buyer outlines his vision for Cypress Gardens Most listeners welcome proposed changes Kent Buescher's plan for developing the park Friday, January 16, 2004 Letter To The Editor - By John Seitz Don't reopen Gardens as theme park Saturday, January 17, 2004 Gifford adamant against 1-cent tax Four commissioners must approve 1-cent bed tax levy for Gardens purchase Sunday, January 18, 2004 It's now or never for Cypress Gardens In the next 10 days, two votes will take place that will decide the fate of Cypress Gardens On January 27th, the governor and Cabinet will consider appropriating $11 million to acquire the development rights over 150 acres of the Gardens .Monday, January 19, 2004 WH chamber head works to make city thrive As executive director of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce, Bob Gernert sees a lot of what goes on in the city, good and bad Question: You have been involved in efforts to save Cypress Gardens since it closed last April. Now that the county has decided to step in and buy the original 30 acres, which will save the park, what are your thoughts? Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce Thursday, January 22, 2004 County OKs Gardens purchase Saving Cypress Gardens is now up to Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Cabinet. Georgia theme park owner Kent Buescher is already in for $7 million, and as of Wednesday, the county is officially committed to $2.5 million. Florida Governor's Office Contact the Governor Saturday, January 24, 2004 Group ready to take on Gardens ride noise With a key vote to save Cypress Gardens just a few days away, residents living near the park are forming their own group to work with the new owner. Jana McCarty, with the Neighbors of Cypress Gardens group Monday, January 26, 2004 State treasurer to vote for Gardens funding Following a sort of hush-hush visit to Cypress Gardens on Sunday, State Treasurer Tom Gallagher said he'll cast his key cabinet vote to support spending $11 million to help save the park www.fldfs.com Florida’s first Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher Wednesday, January 28, 2004 State caps Gardens deal. Cabinet signs off on $11 million easement Bush and the Cabinet unanimously voted Tuesday to spend $11 million of state money to buy the development rights on the park. "Gone would be the peace and tranquility she had been famous for," Friends of Cypress Gardens co-founder Burma Davis Posey argued, adding that Buescher's plans to update the park with more attractions would destroy the "essence" of the park. www.friendsofcypressgardens.org Friday, January 30, 2004 Gardens buyer gears up for May opening Ever since park owner Kent Buescher got the go-ahead from the state on Tuesday to reopen Cypress Gardens, people want to know: When's it going to reopen? What exactly is he planning? And when will he be hiring? Buescher hopes to reopen the park by Memorial Day Rejuvenated Gardens will benefit Polk Months of hard work and support from literally hundreds of people have saved Cypress Gardens from a developer's bulldozers. Sunday, February 1, 2004 Letter To The Editor - By Donald L. Headley Gardens should refund money The owners of the long-gone Cypress Gardens owe me approximately $240 I realize I am only one of thousands who are in the same situation. Monday, February 2, 2004 Gardens patrons with passes left out and angry Nearly a year after Cypress Gardens shut its doors, residents holding worthless annual passes are still steamed the park's owners haven't reimbursed them. It's not likely that future owner Kent Buescher, who plans to reopen the park by Memorial Day, will honor those passes. Tuesday, February 17, 2004 New Gardens owner, county working out acreage lease As the deadline to close the deal for Cypress Gardens approaches, county staff are still hammering out the lease with Georgia theme park owner Kent Buescher for the part Polk will own. In exchange for using the original 30 acres the county is paying $2.5 million for, Buescher will rehabilitate and maintain them and also give Polk 100 free passes into the new Gardens each year. But some wording in the lease will still be changed before it's finalized by the Feb. 24 closing deadline. Wednesday, February 25, 2004 Gardens deal signed and sealed Owner begins work on 'Cypress Gardens Adventure Park' We did it," the new owner of Cypress Gardens announced, after spending several hours in a Lakeland attorney's office closing the deal for the property. Buescher had just driven over to the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce building to announce that he'd officially purchased the park from its previous owners, 10 months after they closed the famed landmark. Ticket prices for the new Gardens have also been set. A single-day adult admission ticket will be $26.95, $8 less than the park's most recent ticket price. Kids will get in for $22.95, Buescher said, while annual passes may start out at nearly $50, because half of the year is already gone. Saturday, February 28, 2004 For now, county will keep Gardens tourism office County tourism employees will likely continue trying to draw visitors to the area while operating out of Cypress Gardens - or at least until Polk's own visitors center is finished. Gardens owner still unsure of opening date Hopeful residents who want to work for the new, revamped Cypress Gardens Adventure Park are going to have to wait a little longer. Buescher, who also owns Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, Ga., had hoped to reopen by Memorial Day. But Sumner said the buildings on the property are a "little bit worse than we thought." Tuesday, March 16, 2004 Interviews for Gardens vendors a sign of progress New Cypress Gardens owner Kent Buescher is gearing up for its reopening - and he's looking for those people who can make it happen. food service and retail supplies, park operations, construction and marketing. Gardens' master plan near completion One year ago today, Cypress Gardens owners made a shocking announcement that sent waves of outrage through the community. The famed landmark . . .that put Winter Haven on the map, was shutting its doors - for good. One year ago today, it seemed unlikely that Florida's first theme park would reopen "Everything's sure looking a lot better today than it did a year ago," said Sara Sumner, spokesperson for Georgia-based Wild Adventures Theme Park. "Much more happiness over Cypress Gardens' future than there was a year ago today." The master plan to redo the park is almost finished, Sumner said Friday, April 16, 2004 Plans for Gardens to be revealed on Monday For months, Kent Buescher's talked about what he wants to do to Cypress Gardens. Now he can finally show everyone what he's planning Buescher's plans call for $35 million in improvements during the first 18 months, investing more after the first year of operation at the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce 401 Ave. B NW Winter Haven YAHOO Map Tuesday, April 20, 2004 Gardens master plan set The first new rides going in at Cypress Gardens rolled off trucks on Monday, as Kent Buescher unveiled for the first time his master plan for the attraction Between 400 and 500 people eager to see Buescher's ideas packed two public presentations of the master plan Sunday, April 25, 2004 Cypress Gardens owner will highlight Tourism Week Cypress Gardens owner Kent Buescher will be the guest speaker at a National Tourism Week reception on May 6 and will give an update on work at the park Alfred Wendell Adams, 97, of Lake Wales, died Saturday, May 8, 2004 he was a fixture at Cypress Gardens for 35 years, starting in 1961 helping amateur and professional shutterbugs capture the best shots from the attraction's photo pier. He represented the park during the Day of Discovery productions, worked at the information center and the front gate.. . . Sunday, May 16, 2004 Ski tournament season begins World Barefoot Champion Ron Scarpa played host to a one-day barefoot tournament on Lake Elbert. Beginning Friday, the best men and women water ski jumpers in the world will be competing on Lake Tennessee in Auburndale Masters Jump Champion Scot Ellis is conducting a one-day Ski Fly Tournament for jumpers who want to try to qualify for the Masters Water Ski Championships scheduled Memorial Day weekend. The Florida State Championships will be held July 10-11 in Winter Garden. The Goode National Water Ski Championships will take place Aug. 3-7 in West Palm Beach. For more information, contact USA Water Ski at www.usawaterski.org or call (863) 324-4341. Saturday, May 29, 2004 Army of workers readies new Gardens Poor building maintenance by former Cypress Gardens owners have left construction crews with more work than originally anticipated. But wood rot and termites have not fazed new owner Kent Buescher one bit Scattered groups of construction workers are continuously working, trying to complete the $42 million project. Tickets for the park will not be sold until 30 days prior to the definite opening date, now tentatively scheduled for October 1. A section of roller coaster track in place at one of the thrill rides at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park looks somewhat like a work of modern art (photo only) Friday, June 25, 2004 Gardens gets variance for thrill ride Cypress Gardens owners got the OK on Thursday to build one of its rides 120.5 feet high. The county's board of adjustment granted a request for a height variance for the "Thunder Bolt Shot Tower," which will haul riders up into the skyline and then drop them in a free-fall. County rules limit the height for such structures to 100 feet. Sunday, June 27, 2004 Huge tourism rise spurs an improved Polk guide Free copies of the vacation planner can be ordered from The Central Florida Visitors and Convention Bureau 1339 Helena Road, Winter Haven, FL 33884-2103 Phone: 863-298-7565 or 1-800-828-7655 Fax: 863-298-7564 www.sunsational.org Cypress Gardens work going well Opening likely won't make Oct. 1 projection The skyline on Cypress Gardens Boulevard is definitely changing. At least a couple hundred workers are scrambling over Cypress Gardens Adventure Park getting it ready for its projected October opening. Saturday, July 31, 2004 County seeks way to deal with Gardens traffic When Cypress Gardens Adventure Park reopens its doors later this year, its new owner is banking on lots and lots of people coming. That might pose a traffic problem and require costly road improvements, but the most popular idea to come up with the needed money has been panned by county staff. Although Cypress Gardens once drew more than a million visitors back in its heyday, the addition of roller coasters and more family-oriented entertainment is expected to draw a large crowd. Storm hits home Cypress Gardens losses near $3 million; opening delayed until late fall 2004 Hurricane Charley took Cypress Gardens Adventure Park on a ride of its own Friday, leaving Winter Haven's signature attraction battered but not defeated. "All the work we've done over the last six months was gone," Kent Buescher said. Cypress Gardens still on schedule In the wake of Hurricane Frances, Cypress Gardens remains on schedule to re-open in mid-November. "We did really well through the storm," said Alyson Gernert, public relations manager of Cypress Gardens. "It's all because Charley destroyed everything else. If Charley hadn't come through and moved as quickly as it did, I think the park would have been completely demolished by this slow moving storm." Saturday, September 25, 2004 Cypress Gardens holding open call for water skiers A total of 23 skiers applied as part-time and full-time skiers on Friday. Wednesday, September 29, 2004 Cypress Gardens, Bok Tower withstand Jeanne’s winds Bok Tower Sanctuary and Cypress Gardens Adventure Park were both spared from devastation when Jeanne swept through Polk County on Sunday. Gardens' opening delayed to Dec. 9 Park officials made the decision Saturday to postpone the opening because of damage sustained during Hurricane Jeanne, said Alyson Gernert, public relations manager of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park Approximately $1 million in damage to the park was caused by Hurricane Jeanne, adding to the $100,000 damage from Hurricane Frances and more than $5 million from Hurricane Charley Google- Hurricane Charley - Friday, August 13, 2004 Google- Hurricane Frances - Sunday, September 5, 2004 Google- Hurricane Ivan - Sunday, September 12, 2004 Google- Hurricane Jeanne - Sunday, September 26, 2004 Yahoo Weather- Hurricanes Thursday, October 21, 2004 Gardens' job fair big draw More than 350 turn out to apply for work Applications were accepted for ride operators, groundskeepers, animal care givers, stage crew, public safety and southern belles. Interviews were conducted on site. Both workers and supervisors are being hired. "There are more people than I expected," said Everett McKeown, director of human resources. "It is going really well." Approximately 400 people will be hired for various positions throughout the park
Gardens will be open by Nov. 26 This is the million-dollar question at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. Officials are unsure whether the park's new rides will be ready in time for a soft opening on Nov. 19 as originally planned "If we can open, we will, but we are really trying to encourage people to come out for the soft opening on Nov. 26," Gernert said. "We will definitely be open that weekend." Country music icon Kenny Rogers is scheduled to perform at the park on Nov. 26 during "Kenny Rogers and Friends Celebrate the Season," also featuring Rebecca Lynn Howard and Billy Dean Google- Kenny Rogers IMDb- Kenny Rogers Sunday, November 14, 2004 The New Cypress Gardens Tradition, thrills blend at revamped theme park The park now features various activities for children, parents and grandparents, while still maintaining its southern charm. The new 1,500-lot paved parking area sits where the old greenhouses once were Patrons will be transported from the parking area to the ticket booth by way of a Disney-like tram. The park's signature attraction, the original Botanical Gardens, will remain the focal point of the park. Whether the Nov. 19 through 21 soft opening is canceled, the remainder of the dates will go on as scheduled, including a soft opening from Nov. 26 through 28 and Dec. 3 through 5. The nature area and arcade will not be accessible during the soft opening. A grand opening celebration is scheduled for Dec. 9. The park will open at 10 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with a ski show immediately following. Sunday, November 14, 2004 Entertainment, dining designed to be family-friendly Banana George plans to make a guest appearance during the grand opening celebration of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park scheduled for Dec. 9 The 89-year-old barefoot skier was a mainstay at Cypress Gardens before its closure in April of 2003. As a skier in the last show he says he is excited about returning to the park The theme of the new show, which will debut during the soft opening later this month, is based on the movie "Top Gun." The 30-minute show will feature skiing, wakeboarding, barefoot skiing and the delta wing kite flyers. The ambassadors of the park, the Southern Belles, will also return to Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. www.Banana George.com IMDb- "Top Gun" (1986) Sunday, November 14, 2004 Triple hurricane one of 38 rides to draw visitors Sunday, November 14, 2004 Country icon Kenny Rogers kicks off entertainment lineup Thursday, November 25, 2004 Excitement builds for park opening Cypress Gardens crews busy preparing The newly-renovated park is scheduled to be unveiled during a soft opening Friday. Country singer Kenny Rogers will kick off an impressive lineup of entertainment at the park. Saturday, November 27, 2004 Cypress Gardens Returns After closing its doors 19 months ago, Cypress Gardens reopened Friday revamped, revitalized and focused on a broader market We are glad to see folks lined up," said Kent Buescher, owner and president of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. "I think we have created a great park" First into the park was 12-year-old Katelyn Ehlers who was quickly greeted by Buescher. I am glad you are here, have a great time today," he said, happily surprised to discover she had waited for three hours to be the park's first guest Sunday, November 28, 2004 Gardens top expectations for opening If the crowds, the gleeful shouts and the applause on opening weekend are indicators, then the new Cypress Gardens appears destined for resounding success. Surely the late Dick Pope Sr., who opened the original gardens in 1936, would be proud of what is there today. Kent Buescher With so much to see and do, this theme park will attract a more diverse clientele of adults and children, and they are likely to return again and again Cypress Gardens park is great; exit needs thought Letter from Bob Sarno Congratulations are in order to Kent Buescher and his staff for the wonderful job they did to restore the Gardens and add an amusement park that will entertain both young and old for years to come Saturday, December 4, 2004 One-Day Disney Ticket Up To $59.75 www.The Ledger.com Walt Disney World, revamping its admissions policy for the first time in at least two decades, is dramatically restructuring its ticket pricing structure by offering lower prices for longer stays and other options. Although the pretax price of a oneday ticket to a single park will rise $5 to $59.75, when the changes go into effect Jan. 2, a week's admission will cost $199 -- $28.43 a day. For children ages 3-9, prices range from $48 for a day to $160 for a week Google Walt Disney World Tuesday, December 7, 2004 Cypress Gardens parking Letters- I wish the News Chief would stop jumping up and down and giving free publicity to the new Cypress Gardens Adventure Park and instead send the reporter out there to find out just how they're going to solve the problem. I was told when I talked to a cashier a couple weeks ago that they had already sold 40,000 guest passes at $65 each, that's $2,600,000, and assuming they sold 20,000 parking vouchers at $25 each, its $500,000, and I would like to know what the owner is going to do about the parking problem. Thursday, December 9, 2004 Cypress Gardens reopens The day Polk County has been waiting for has finally arrived the reopening of Cypress Gardens. The newly-renovated Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will open to the public at 10 a.m. today. A grand opening ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. in the Ski Show Pavilion, with a ski show to immediately follow. A vintage plane from Fantasy of Flight is scheduled to conduct a flyover during the festivities. Approximately 2,000 people, including local officials, community leaders and residents, as well as Florida Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings, are expected to attend. More than 45,000 people have already visited the renovated park during its soft openings held the past two weekends ACTWON fotos of Fantasy of Flight |
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