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Developer has big plans for Beach

Oneida Dispatch

Original Article »

May 08, 2007

Current owner Patrick Goodenow and developer Doug Waterbury have big plans for restoration and expansion of the amusement park at Sylvan Beach.

Waterbury is the owner of Santa's Workshop, in North Pole, N.Y., a Christmas-themed amusement park. He recently partnered with Goodenow and plans on owning the historic Sylvan Beach Amusement Park in five years.

"I'm interested in retro or nostalgic businesses. I've been in the real estate industry as a developer and a restorer of find old properties throughout New York state for about 26 years," Waterbury said. "We decided to formulate a partnership that would allow him to continue in the enterprise for five years or so and allow the rebirth, renaissance of that amusement park."

The two will work together to restore the park.

According to their announcement, their plan is "to embark on an exciting and aggressive restoration and enhancement of the entire Sylvan Beach facility, including the landmark Yesterday's Royal, formerly the Hotel Royal, circa 1912."

The plan comes with a price tag of about $8 million and includes more rides, a park museum and making use of Oneida Lake to offer entertainment.

The ride count is expected to increase from 21 to 35, including a double Ferris wheel, that Waterbury said would be visible from Route 81.

"It will be almost kind of like an electronic three-dimensional billboard to draw the attention of the campers and tourists in the area and hopefully they'll come over and try us out," he said.

He said it is 87 feet tall with two wheels that turn independently but the arm that connects them turns as well, which creates "quite a sensation."

Other rides up for consideration include the Himalaya and the Gravitron.

The Himalaya is a a circular, undulating ride that goes both forward and backward. The Gravitron is shaped like a flying saucer and uses centrifugal force to pin its standing occupants to the padded wall.

To make room for the new attractions, Waterbury plans on taking up the Yesterday's Royal parking lot.

"You don't need that parking lot; there's a municipal parking lot right there-we feel that a better use of that real estate will be to add more rides," Waterbury said. "I have some other ideas that will allow us more efficient use of the property."

To highlight the park's origins, which can be traced back to 1881, a park museum will be created.

Waterbury said the "timeline" museum would tell the story of Sylvan Beach from the beginning to the present.

He also talked about adding water attractions including a 70-foot, 150-passenger jet-propelled speedboat thrill ride, parasailing and a retro mahogany triple-cockpit speedboat ride.

He explained that the retro mahogany boats could only seat up to 10 people and would be available for patrons to take sunset or moonlight cruises of Oneida Lake.

He wants to incorporate water toy rental as well, including jet skis and paddle boats.

Waterbury also wants to start new events including an in-water antique boat show and a water ski show.

Yesterday's Royal will be getting some improvements over the next five years as well. Waterbury wants to reopen it as a hotel.

"We'll be creating a boutique hotel kind of operation on the property that will provide either one night's lodging or a weekend of stay and play where you can buy a package with meals and entertainment out in the park," he said.

But, all those things take time.

"Each year you're going to see different elements being added," Waterbury said. "It's not going to happen overnight, there's a process you have to work through."

Immediate changes park-goers can expect to see are facade restorations and landscaping upgrades.

Waterbury expects the park improvements to add employees. He said the park currently employs about 160, but when the enhancements are complete, it could be upwards of 200. Most of those jobs will be for the six months when the park is open, from April to October.

"Doug and I believe that the future of this little Oneida County gem lies in its past; in other words, what's old is new again," Goodenow said.


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