Re: Save The Dipper!
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:19 pm
haha I didn't see that
At least they came to the auction I guess.
At least they came to the auction I guess.
Or you could just ban them from your website . . . oh wait!!!Because as an industry professional that was not only inappropriate but rude and obnoxious and all she did was add fuel to the negative reputation that ACE seems to have lately.
If you have an issue with a company, contact them privately or better yet have your attourney do it. If you want to be respected, an outburst during a public auction is NOT the way to do it.
--Robb "And people wonder where the group gets its stereotype from." Alvey
ACE Clarifies Position on Geauga Lake Big Dipper
AURORA, Ohio, July 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The purchase and
subsequent closure of Geauga Lake by Cedar Fair, LLP evoked concern within
the enthusiast and preservationist communities from almost the moment it
happened. At the forefront of this concern was the future of the venerated
park's classic Big Dipper roller coaster, which is the country's seventh
oldest roller coaster. American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) has made saving
this coaster a high priority. Although the park was home to two other
wooden coasters, it was Big Dipper that attracted preservationists'
attention due to its age and status as an ACE Coaster Classic. Almost
immediately, members of ACE's Executive Committee began a dialogue with
government officials, business leaders, and Cedar Fair executives, hoping
to come to an agreeable solution to save this highly regarded coaster.
Possible solutions included dismantling the ride and reconstructing it at
another Cedar Fair property, dismantling the ride and storing it for future
erection, or keeping it onsite as part of a new, multi-use development.
There is currently a submitted bid for the property from a Cleveland
developer that would preserve the ride on site, yet no decision has been
made by Cedar Fair or its real estate agent, Colliers International.
The coasters were advertised as being for sale in November 2007
although no real offers surfaced. With the publication of the auction
flyer, the Big Dipper was initially not included. It was however added to
the listing by Cedar Fair management in late April 2008.
The timing of the auction coincided with ACE's national convention in
Georgia, where all of the members of the Executive Committee were expected
to be present. Two of the committee members did, however, attend the
auction. ACE officers and others present were stunned when the auctioneer
mentioned ACE before the bidding started, erroneously stating that ACE had
declined a donation of the Big Dipper. ACE's past president verbally
refuted the comment and drew much attention to what has since continued to
be an ongoing controversy. The coaster sold for $5,000 to Apex Western
Machinery Movers represented by Tom Woosnam, who told media in attendance
that he was in the business of removing structures and machinery but made
this purchase as an agent for an undisclosed party who wanted to preserve
the structure as a non-working ride. He went on to also purchase the Raging
Wolf Bobs for $2,500. Just four days after the auction, he contacted ACE
and stated that his client would donate both the Big Dipper and the Raging
Wolf Bobs to the organization, free of charge, with the provision that ACE
could only use Apex for the removal. Subsequently, ACE officials grew wary
of the offer when questions were not fully answered, deadlines were pushed,
and inquiries about the possibility of certain parts being donated to ACE
were met with disparaging comments from the winning bidder. In addition,
Apex had no known experience dismantling coasters, and their estimate was
two to three times higher than an evaluation provided by a company
professionally experienced in moving wood roller coasters. Furthermore, ACE
learned that the bidder had been involved in a situation following a 2006
auction that resulted in a court case entitled State of Ohio v Woosnam
2006-Ohio-6327.
ACE wants to save Big Dipper. But as a modest non-profit organization,
despite being rich with enthusiasm, ACE's resources are limited. Mark Cole,
ACE's president, explains, "ACE has money in reserves that is earmarked for
Preservation and Museum/Archival efforts. Even if these funds were enough
to cover the cost of dismantling Big Dipper, there are the issues of
transporting it, the massive amount of space it would take to store it, and
the question of what ACE would ultimately do with it. The coaster has
already been shopped to other park operators, and there haven't been any
takers. This is a most unfortunate situation." If the Big Dipper structure
were to be razed, ACE is still very interested in obtaining the trains,
blueprints, and other key parts for archival purposes and even possibly
future use. Naturally ACE would prefer the ride to remain intact and on
site, because of its historic significance to the community.
Founded in 1978, ACE is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization
dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation, and safe enjoyment
of roller coasters. With close to 7,000 members in 50 states and 12
countries, ACE is the largest amusement park enthusiast organization in the
world. Members of ACE receive newsletters and magazines, as well as the
opportunity to attend events.
For more information contact: John Gerard
phone: 619.997.7901
email: jgerard@ACEonline.org
Mr. Woosman has also offered the coaster to other groups, on a forum on the Sandusky Register newspaper where he wrote on July 1, 2008: "As the buyer …of this coaster, time for action is NOW. If you want to talk about it, go ahead. If you want to save it, money is all it takes. There is a deal available for anyone who wants to do something about it, not just talk about it. Contact me for details."
There is currently a submitted bid for the property from a Cleveland developer that would preserve the ride on site, yet no decision has been made by Cedar Fair or its real estate agent, Colliers International. That proposal was contingent on Big Dipper remaining on the property, as the developer was prepared to provide ACE, as a non-profit organization, the rights to the coaster and buildings for a possible roller coaster museum. While that possibility still exists, it will be necessary for Cedar Fair to make certain concessions with the property that it does not seem willing to make. Now ACE can only wait to see if the park’s owner is willing to work with the developer or ACE to make this opportunity a reality.