Kentucky Kingdom Update

Some details are now coming about about Ed Hart's plan to reopen Kentucky Kingdom next year. The developer has turned to the Fair Board to ask for a $50 million bond issue in order to help rebuild and reopen the amusement park.

The proposal won't be officially considered until the Fair Board meets in October. Mr. Hart would spend $8 million of the money in order to add a "marquee" roller coaster to the property, while retaining six existing coasters. If that figure is correct then Twisted Twins must be being counted separately, that's two, plus Greezed Lightnin', the Roller Skater, T2, and Thunder Run.

The water park would also see and very significant expansion, where $12 million would be used. The plan would double the size of the water park, add 16 slides and what sounds like another wave pool and lazy river.

With the expanded park, Mr. Hart says attendance should surpass one million guests the first year the park reopens. They will offer free parking, $1 beverages, and free tube rentals to lure guests as well. A new park entrance would be developed in the back of the park, near where Chang once stood.

This sure sounds like an ambitious plan for Kentucky Kingdom! It is not clear how much of this could be accomplished by next May, when Mr. Hart wants to reopen the park. I'm sure we'll hear more next month when the formal plan is proposed.