Six Flags America shutting down Maryland amusement – Business News
Six Flags is closing down one of its East Coast parks on the finish of this season in a vital reshaping of the company’s “park portfolio.”
Maryland’s Six Flags America and its water park, Hurricane Harbor, will shut its doorways for the ultimate time in 2025, the amusement park giant introduced Thursday.
“As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan,” Six Flags CEO Richard A. Zimmerman mentioned.
Parkgoers carrying Uncle Sam costumes journey Wild One at Six Flags America. PR NEWSWIRE
Six Flags America sits on 500 acres of land and shall be bought as a redevelopment alternative as half of the company’s “long-term growth plan.”
The land was initially used as a wildlife middle created by former presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1974.
A theme park was opened in 1992 and went via a number of identify modifications earlier than Six Flags acquired the venue, turning it into its tenth park in 1997.
“This was a difficult decision, and we recognize the impact it will have on our Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor park associates and guests,” Zimmerman added. “We are grateful to our park associates who work exhausting to create lifelong reminiscences for our friends, and Six Flags is dedicated to supporting all impacted associates via the closure course of on the finish of this yr.
Severance shall be paid to the park’s 70 full-time staffers, however tons of of native residents, together with youngsters have regarded to the park for employment during earlier summers.
The entrance to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 14, 2020. Getty Images
The theme park, positioned 19 miles from Washington, D.C., is home to the world’s third-oldest wood curler coaster.
Wild One, previously referred to as Giant Coaster, was first opened in 1912 at Paragon Park in Massachusetts.
After the New England amusement park was shuttered, the journey was moved to its present location at Six Flags America and rebranded to what’s recognized now in 1986.
It is the oldest coaster throughout all Six Flags.
Other featured rides embrace “Roar,” “Superman: Ride of Steel,” and the area’s tallest water coaster, “RipQurl Blaster.”
The company didn’t element the destiny of the points of interest.
The park’s last day is scheduled for Nov. 2, 2025.
Thursday’s announcement left neighborhood members with combined emotions.
“It is deeply disappointing to hear that Six Flags America, a long-standing fixture in our community, will be closing its doors after years of service to Prince George’s County,” Councilmember Wala Belgay mentioned.
The Six Flags brand seen from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif. on Feb. 24, 2021. Getty Images
“This amusement park has not only provided entertainment and memories for countless families, but it has also been a critical community partner,” she wrote.
Council chair Edward Burroughs remained optimistic for the varied prospects that the land may very well be used for sooner or later.
“Initially, I was not happy about it,” he mentioned in response to NBC Washington. “But the reality is, it’s a real opportunity.”
“I really do view both of these as an opportunity to attract the type of projects that will uplift Prince George’s County,” Burroughs mentioned. “The stadium has been there for a number of years, and frankly, we have not seen the type of revenue generated from that location since it’s been there. And so, I view this as an opportunity for both locations.”
