Sportland Pier?

[choochoochuck]

Did any of you visit sportland. I wasn't born when it was open, it sounded interesting my mom remebers it.

Chuck

[FlyinGN]

I enjoyed this pier as a child.. brought back memories.. Fond ones.. heres a link to it..


Frank

www.funchase.com/Piers.htm

[Al Alven]

I have a few extremely vague memories of Sportland Pier... They are probably some of my earliest Wildwood memories, from around the time I was two or three.

I remember the Supersonic roller coaster, and the scary images that adorned the Hell Hole and Dr. Blood's House of Horror. Not much else, though. Really general stuff.

I also remember my uncle Ed (a major amusement enthusiast to this day) being very disappointed when the pier closed down. He always says that Sportland was his second favorite pier (after Hunt's, of course).

[Al Alven]

For more classic Sportland images, check out www.mrboardwalk.net/ (click on the "Sportland Pier" tab on the left).

[Len]

Yes, I remember Sportland Pier. What I liked about it was that the ocean surrounded it....since it was on that section of the North Wildwood where the ocean came right up to the boardwalk!!! It was a small pier with a few rides but I always liked walking up to that area because you were closer to the ocean than at the south end of the boardwalk where the beach was wider. I believe today, the beach is so wide in that area that none of the piers stick out into the ocean. I think the Wildwood beach it TOO WIDE now......like a desert.......you're so far removed from the ocean when you walk the boardwalk now!

[Al Alven]

I wish I had memories of Sportland Pier in its heyday.

I remember when the ocean used to come up near the back of Hunt’s Pier. That was a long time ago, but it made for a really special and unique atmosphere (especially when you could look out east from the upper deck of the old Pirate Ship ride and see nothing but the big Atlantic drink).

I have mixed emotions about the width of the beach these days. On one hand, I completely agree with Len that it just seems too big and desert-like. On the other, well, I’m just glad that the Wildwoods have a great beach that (unlike other Jersey Shore towns) is not in danger of eroding every year.

[Al Alven]

Does anyone happen to know who owns what’s left of Sportland Pier these days? Aside from the pier itself still existing after all these years, there are a few attractions there that remain in operation to this day.

The arcade at the north end is still in open, and the pier’s go-cart attraction (the only actual “amusement” there) seems to be quite popular. And, of course, the incomparable “Bozo” still spews insults at those trying to dunk him in his tank (as well as random, unsuspecting passers by).

I would love to contact the current owner(s), just to ask if there are any future plans to develop the pier. A friend of mine (who lives in NW) tells me that, from time to time, rumors do surface that suggest a new attraction or two might be added to Sportland.

Above all else, perhaps, I would like to inquire about the old Dr. Blood’s House of Horror building. It absolutely amazes me that the structure – complete with a lot of its original decoration (albeit in ever-deteriorating condition) – continues to stand.

My best guess is that the building is used for little more than storage these days… but, storage for what, exactly? I wonder… is there anything left on the inside from the original ride itself? What I wouldn’t give to do a walk through of Dr. Blood’s old stomping grounds, just one time…

[mike c]

There is rumors of a dark ride or coaster going up on sportland pier. The owners name is ted synder i believe and survey people were out there this past fall. we will have to wait and see!!!!

[Al Alven]

Hmm... verrrrrrrrrrry interesting...