By Jane Smith
4/25/07 — Although Conneaut Lake Park officials can’t say for certain yet whether the 115-year-old amusement park will open this summer as scheduled, they haven’t lost all hope.
On Monday, officials said without a $300,000 donation, the park wouldn’t open after a proposed sale of 3.3 acres at the park was rejected by Crawford County Court of Common Pleas Judge Anthony Vardaro. The park had planned to use a portion of the sale proceeds to prepare to open the park.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon at the park, court-appointed overseer LeRoy Stearns said the park had received a lot of phone calls Tuesday morning after it was announced the park couldn’t open because of lack of money.
Stearns said the park was inundated with calls expressing the need to open for economic reasons, citing the financial impact on the county as one concern.
“We are working toward Conneaut Lake Park to open in 2007,” he said — but could make no promises. He said six of the judge’s seven concerns have been addressed by the potential buyer, Gregory Sutterlin, in a modified petition to be presented to the court for approval.
Stearns said the petition can’t be filed yet as the park’s attorney, Chris Youngs, was out of town Tuesday. Although Stearns has to approve a petition, it must be filed by an attorney. But even if the petition had been filed Tuesday, no action would have been taken. Judge Vardaro isn’t available until Monday.
The seventh concern was a restriction on the 1997 deed against land sales at the park. Stearns said he wasn’t aware of the restrictions of the 1997 deed before going to court and isn’t certain what impact that could have on the modified proposal.
In the meantime, park director of operations George Deshner announced Hotel Conneaut will be open for upcoming events to be held as scheduled.
A sprinkler system at the hotel had to be repaired and that was completed Tuesday and the park received an occupancy permit to allow the events to go on.
They include Friday night’s Carousel Ball, sponsored by Conneaut Lake Institute; three high school proms; and a Conneaut Lake Cuisine, sponsored by Conneaut Lake Area Historical Society. He noted he was especially concerned about the proms because of the problem of finding another site at such a late date. With the occupancy permit, the proms can be held as scheduled.
Deshner said people have come forward to volunteer their services to work toward opening the park.
He hopes to open the park in phases, as finances and work schedules permit, starting with Kiddieland and moving forward to have all the rides open by July 4. “A couple of rides need minimal repairs,” said Deshner, explaining the schedule.
That would not be a precedent, he noted, saying the first year former owner/operator Gary Harris owned the park, it opened on July 4.
Several employees were volunteering their time Tuesday, answering telephones and doing what was possible. Stearns expressed his appreciation to them and to all who have shown support
