The Italian amusement giant tapped by Mayor Bloomberg to head plans to revive Coney Island is now eyeing a more ambitious project: taking over perennial money-loser Rye Playland.
Zamperla subsidiary Central Amusement International – which opened Coney Island’s new Luna Park and Scream Zone in the past year — is one of 12 bidders seeking to assume operations of the Westchester County-owned site. And it’s proposal – which includes $30 million on new rides and upgrades — is closest to keeping the historic amusement park as is, according to officials.
Zamperla CEO Valerio Ferrari said the company’s “unparalleled” experience and “success” developing and operating parks in Coney Island other parts of the state make it “uniquely positioned to reinvent Playland for the 21st Century.”
“Our vision to ‘Keep it Playland’ will ensure this landmark remains a profitable, one-of-a-kind family amusement park for years to come, while eliminating the burden on [Westchester] taxpayers,” he added.
The proposal includes adding about 20 new rides, including Playland versions of some Luna Park favorites like the upside-down, airplane flying Air Race, the Electro Spin and aerial swinging Lynn’s Trapeze.
With Playland losing about $4 million annually, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino last year began soliciting proposals to “reinvent” 100 acres of Playland, including the amusement park and ice skating rink. Other proposals include bringing outdoor ball fields and a massive “air dome” for sports and entertainment events.
Astorino has set up an advisory committee to review the proposals and make recommendations.
Whether Zamperla gets to run Playland will depend on whether the county decides to keep it an amusement park.
Some committee members said they believe Zamperla’s proposal appears feasible now, but questioned whether it’ll be feasible long-term. However, a Zamperla source said the company is an expert at making amusement parks profitable and believes “there’s plenty of fat to cut” at Playland, one of the nation’s few government-owned amusement parks.
Rye Mayor Douglas French, who sits on the committee, said Rye – like much of Westchester – is split over whether an amusement park is the best option for the land. French said he stands by a resolution the Rye Council passed in March, which includes adding Westchester Children’s Museum to the site as part of any improvements.