Six Flags has announced it is to pull out of its operation in Louisville, Kentucky, having failed to secure a new lease deal with the Kentucky State Fair Board. Four other operators have now come forward and expressed an interest in operating the park.
Update, June 1, 2010: Ed Hart has since announced plans to take over the park via his his Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Co (KKRC) vehicle.
In recent weeks, Six Flags proposed a new lease arrangement that would apparently have “enhanced the viability and future of the park,” which sits on part of the State Fair exposition grounds. Those proposals were not accepted and the park will cease operations. Six Flags will now aim to re-locate employees and several rides and attractions to one of its 13 other markets.
“We are deeply disappointed to be leaving such a great fan base in the greater metropolitan area of Louisville and we are grateful to the thousands of employees at Kentucky Kingdom and the millions of guests for their dedication, support and loyalty over the years,” reports Six Flags CEO, Mark Shapiro.
“This action relates solely to Kentucky Kingdom,” he continues. “The substantial lease_payment has been a significant hurdle for this park in recent years. Our other parks, which reside largely on company-owned land, will be completely unaffected and will open as scheduled for the full 2010 season.”
