"Families are now smaller and there is less of a market." "At a time when everybody had four or five children, amusement parks were the name of the game," Herwig said. It also hosted outdoor acts, rides, and an opera house.ĭuring its heyday, thousands of people visited the park during a summer season. The park is known for the "melodrama," a theatrical form of the past century with emphasis on heroes, heroines and villains. The popularity of the Gaslight Village amusement park as a family attraction has apparently dwindled since its founding in 1959, according to Herwig. "The only thing we don't have is the convention center."
"Add to that a beautiful lake that is known worldwide," he said. And they don't come close to the number of rooms we have." "Rochester has a convention center and they are filling their place. "Buffalo has a convention center and they are filling their place," said Herwig.
Herwig said the Lake George region is ripe for a convention center with six million visitors last year and overnight accommodations for more than 35,000 people. "But we can't pay for the millions and millions of dollars for a new sewage collection system without convention business." "Some of our people think we're crazy to bring in more tourists," said Blais. The convention center is a "catch- 22" issue, added Blais. He said if an agreement is reached to purchase the land, the initial process would also include public hearings, and development of a financial package. Dow's company also operates the Mohegan, the Ticonderoga, and the Minne-Ha-Ha.Ĭonstruction of a convention center, which could cost between $6 million and $7 million, would be a more complex undertaking.Įngineering work is under way for design of the convention center so much of the work can be completed quickly if an agreement is approved, said Blais. The new ship will have a distinctly French name, Lac du St. property where a ship is being built that is 200 feet long and will hold 1,500 people. We've got to have it, though."Ī portion of the Gaslight Village site lies adjacent to the Lake George Steamboat Co. "He is fair and reasonable so we have no problem waiting. Dow Jr., president of the steamboat company. "Wood knows his business well," added Wilbur E. She said "nothing is signed, sealed or delivered, and we will be talking until next spring before something is solidified." "We have every reason to think Wood is looking kindly toward this project," added Doris Herwig, director of the Warren County tourism department. "Negotiations are private and (Wood) has been very cooperative," said Lake George Village Mayor Robert Blais. Others involved in the talks, however, said they hope some type of agreement to sell the land can be reached during the winter. The Lake George Convention Center Steering Committee hopes to buy the property and then attract a developer to build a convention center.Ĭharles Wood, owner of Gaslight Village and the nearby Great Escape amusement parks, refuses to discuss anything - let alone the negotiations - with the news media. Negotiations are in the works to sell the 8.7 acres occupied by Gaslight Village and the 4.6 acres of the former Wax Life Amusement Park directly across West Brook Street for a convention center and more parking space for the Lake George Steamboat Co. Gaslight Village in this Adirondack resort closed for the season Monday, and it could mark the end the amusement park. OWNER NEGOTIATES GASLIGHT VILLAGE SALE PROPOSED CONVENTION CENTER SITE Can anyone help me out as to what reason(s) Gaslight closed? Anyone remember anything of Ride & Fun Park? I believe it might have operated 1990-1992. I didn't go to that park when it was opened, but I do remember driving by and seeing it. As far as Lake George Ride & Fun Park, I can't find any information about that online at all.
I am wondering if that's the main reason Gaslight closed. Did Gaslight Village close due to needed parking for the new cruise ship? I know Charley Wood was looking to get out of the amusement park business around this time, but he did still own the park when it was Ride & Fun Park. Meanwhile, the other half was used for parking for the boat. I believe they had 23 rides, shows, and attractions. It was called "Lake George Ride & Fun Park. In 1990, Gaslight Village was cut in half but a park remained open. During that same year, I believe the Lac Du Saint Sacrament boat officially opened. From what I can remember and find online, it seems like the last year it was open was 1989. Anyways, I am wondering why Gaslight Village really did close. I wish it was open for more years so I could remember more of it. I vaguely remember Gaslight Village when it was open but I really miss it.
0 kommentar(er)
