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Darien Lake Purchased by New Owner - Park Says It Will Continue to Operate “Business as Usual” durin
Earlier this week, officials from Darien Lake amusement park in western New York announced that former Orlando-based owner CNL Lifestyle Properties had sold the park and fourteen other properties to EPR Properties, whom is based is Missouri, for $456 million. Darien Lake resort is the largest property sold in the deal at over 1,200 acres in size. Darien Lake is home to seven roller coasters and three water rides that are among the more than forty attractions at the park, a campground, a water park, and on-site lodging. The park is the largest in the state of New York in terms of attractions and guests.
Courtesy of coastergallery.com
Darien Lake has had recent financial troubles. The park has not held back on spending money, but Darien Lake’s profit dropped 33% from $5.6 million in 2014 to $3.7 million in 2015. Former owner CNL Lifestyle Properties cited that in 2015, “weather and operational challenges” occurred at Darien Lake in its letter to shareholders. Kieran Burke, the CEO of Premier Parks, the company whom operates Darien Lake, said, “Even though the park may be sold, it's really business as usual at the park,” and, “There will be no changes in park staff or operations.”
Burke continued, “As the park operator, we are extremely excited about this sale and the positive impact we believe it will have on Darien Lake and our entire company in the future.” Even though neither CNL or EPR have spoken specifically on the future of Darien Lake, the park did address the "pending sale" of Darien Lake and other properties belonging to its owners, and reassured park goers that the park will continue to operate “business as usual” during the 2017 season on its Facebook page.
Chris Thorpe, Darien Lake's general manager, said he's looking forward to supporting both CNL and EPR during the sale process and said he's focused on continuing to grow the park.
Darien Lake closed for the 2016 season in September and will open in the spring of 2017 under new owner EPR Properties, and will continue to be operated by Premier Parks.
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