A Plan for Rye Playland's New Operator Announced

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has announced that Rye Playland will be managed by Standard Amusements for the next 15 years, if the Board of Legislators approves the deal he has created.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise as many expected the County to move forward with Central Amusements, the park operating arm of Zamperla.

The new deal with Standard Amusements will see $23 million invested in the historic amusement park over five years.  The company will also pay the County over $2 million up front, $300k a year, and 7.5% of profits once Standard recoups their investment.  The deal can be renewed after 15 years, but Standard can also pull out of it in October of this year after co-managing the park this Summer with the County.

Playland will be operated by United Parks, with CEO Jack Falfas (former Cedar Fair executive) running the show.  

Example UniCoaster

But how about new rides?  Well I can't find any details that are as elaborate as what Zamperla showed, but a mini-water park, a Double AquaLoop slide, and a UniCoaster are specifically listed in this story.  I only know of one UniCoaster that opened, inside Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of America.

The plans is to keep the park ungated, leaving guests to purchase all-day wristbands or just ride tickets if they want.

The Board of Legislators have 60 days to approve the deal.  If they do, Standard Amusements will become the sole operator of the park on November 1st.  There are already some folks poking holes in the deal, though, so this may not be the end of the story.