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Post by thelastresort on Jun 7, 2006 6:59:56 GMT -5
I'm putting this as a new thread since it currently is a post of mine under the "what happened to the Flyer carts" thread, but I want to throw this idea out there.
I wonder how much it would cost, seriously, to resurrect Hunt's Pier to it's former glory? A few million (3 to 5) perhaps?
Does anyone think it would be possible to raise the money by setting up some type of Chapter S corporation and selling stock, so it wouldn't be a "donation", but rather, everyone would have a stake in it, like a small business. I'm sure it would not be that complicated, and with the right advertising, etc., we would be able to get enough people together so it would not require us all to take second mortgages on our houses. The pier is just sitting there now anyway.
Naturally, the project could be phased in, saving the most expensive rides (for example, the Flyer) for last.
It sounds too simple. Just curious if there is something I am overlooking.
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Post by JerseyDigger29 on Jun 7, 2006 10:07:24 GMT -5
I'm putting this as a new thread since it currently is a post of mine under the "what happened to the Flyer carts" thread, but I want to throw this idea out there. I wonder how much it would cost, seriously, to resurrect Hunt's Pier to it's former glory? A few million (3 to 5) perhaps? Does anyone think it would be possible to raise the money by setting up some type of Chapter S corporation and selling stock, so it wouldn't be a "donation", but rather, everyone would have a stake in it, like a small business. I'm sure it would not be that complicated, and with the right advertising, etc., we would be able to get enough people together so it would not require us all to take second mortgages on our houses. The pier is just sitting there now anyway. Naturally, the project could be phased in, saving the most expensive rides (for example, the Flyer) for last. It sounds too simple. Just curious if there is something I am overlooking. Just a few comments. I admire your interest in this great old Wildwood landmark but it is owned by the Moreys. I imagine they will upgrade it as they are able to. They have so many irons in the fire now, it's probably hard to do everything at once, no matter how bad we want to see it. They are beginning to remodel the pier in the front with the new Sand Jams Surf Shop and cyber cafe. It isn't much but it is different and it is a start. Also, ONE ride, at least a really good and classy one, costs about 6 or 7 million dollars now days. An entire pier could costs over 100 to 200 million. Convention Hall alone cost about 70-some million and that's just one building, not an entire pier. Also, resurrecting the Flyer is admirable but it isn't going to happen. With the competition from the Great White on Wild Wheels Pier, another wooden roller coaster in the same town would be an economic waste of your time, not to mention the two other modern roller coasters on the other piers. There are many things in Wildwoods' past that I really miss and would like to see again but I'm realistic enough to know that I will not get my wish so I choose to concentrate on the future of the Wildwoods, not so much on its past. Please get on with life - savor its memory but let the Flyer go. Now contrary to what I just said, there is one thing from the past that I still have hopes of seeing in the Wildwoods again. I'm hoping the rumor that the Moreys might be trying to build a nice multi-screen theater again are true. We really need a nice classy movie theater(s) for families. It would sort of help round out the vacation experience in the Wildwoods. Just my opinion - Thom
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Post by wildwanderer on Jun 7, 2006 14:36:01 GMT -5
I like dreaming...
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Post by eden11 on Jun 7, 2006 14:49:24 GMT -5
I like dreaming too... I also like thelastresorts's idea of having a community owned pier. I know if I had an extra million laying around I would put it towards the cause.
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Post by thelastresort on Jun 7, 2006 15:01:41 GMT -5
I question the 100-200 million dollar figure. The convention center is a huge, multi-faceted complex, which also needed excavation, pilings, etc. All we're talking about here is restoring some little rinky dinky rides -- and I don't mean this out of disrespect, I LOVE THEM, they brought such joy to me and my generation -- I just mean on the grand scale, comparing the 8 or 10 old fashioned simple rides on former Hunt's Pier (one of which is still standing) to the convention center is like comparing the Starfire motel to the up and coming Taffy Pull. And 100-200 million translates into like 20-40 million back in the late 50's, I can't imagine that much was invested back then, when the going ticket price was like 10 cents per ride. I can see the "Great White" rollercoaster on pier 1 costing 10 mil to build, but the Flyer, no way. And the Flyer and Log Flume can be the last two that are built. Hell, Paul Bunyan is in the junkyard looking for a home. Honestly, I think it can be done.
And the pier itself does not have to be bought, just need to negotiate a 50 year lease with the Moreys....
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Post by eden11 on Jun 7, 2006 15:15:42 GMT -5
I think it could be done too. I dont believe having two wooden roller coasters on one boardwalk is that much compitition. In fact I think more people would flock towards the Flyer to relive some memories. I think you got a good idea going here. Its nostalgic goldmine in the waiting. I would invest.
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Post by thelastresort on Jun 7, 2006 15:19:54 GMT -5
I dont believe having two wooden roller coasters on one boardwalk is that much compitition. Yes, my kids would pee their pants at the thought of going on the Great White, but the Flyer can be a nice "starter" roller coaster. Curious at to other's comments, negative or positive. Or if I am nuts, please say so and we can drop it. Cheers.
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Post by MMM on Jun 7, 2006 17:09:01 GMT -5
Well, I'd love to see it. I don't think they Morey's would give up, or even lease the pier so easily, but maybe send them an e-mail anyway. Also, try to see if the original blueprints, etc. still exist.
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Post by crazyaboutwildwood on Jun 7, 2006 17:10:37 GMT -5
Your not nuts last resort. Your a dreamer and so am I. I wish wildwood would have all the piers of the past loaded with rides. I think there was like 7 at one time. let me see..... Sportland, Hunts, Surfside, Marine, Fun, Casino Arcade and Nickels. Yep, thats 7 all right. Sportland is owned by ted synder So you know nothing is going to happen with that pier. He also owns the back of casino pier so you know nothing is going to happen with that pier either. The nickels are land locked because of the moreys and they are old so nothing is going to happen with that pier. And of course Hunts pier is owned by the moreys and it looks like its just going to be shops and Go karts for now. Wildwheels now Adventure pier is starting to thin out for a possible 36 hole minnie golf or somthing else that is not ride related. Wildwood has changed so much and they would never give up hunts pier to let someone else put rides on it and cut there profits. The cost of insurance and rides has got so expensive that you just might see less and less rides in the future. For example the Wipe out slide will be gone after this season and replaced by a restaurant. I hope they suprise us with some big new ride or coaster but I dont see it happening anytime soon. lets keep dreaming..........
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Post by FlyinGN on Jun 7, 2006 18:15:18 GMT -5
okay. Now that your actually thinking more about this.. There is no way that you could reproduce the rides in exact detail. Todays safety regs are *VERY* different then 35 years ago.. just remember that....
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Post by hulk007 on Jun 7, 2006 20:57:30 GMT -5
I'm waiting for Robert to jump in on this discussion.
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Post by Crippled_Visions on Jun 7, 2006 22:38:05 GMT -5
I'm waiting for Robert to jump in on this discussion. Yeah....where is Robert? This is his type of post. He should be talking about Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. I remember the Nickel's saying that it would cost over 10 million dollars to rebuild Castle Dracula today....and that was just a plywood building with stucco. Imagine trying to rebuild something as intricate as the Skua. It just will never happen.
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Post by thelastresort on Jun 7, 2006 22:58:26 GMT -5
"there is no way" -- FlyinGN "it just will never happen" -- CV ahhggg, you're killin' me guys! Glad you weren't the Wright Brother's assistants or working with Henry Ford, we'd still be driving carriages! Hey, just kidding guys, I know it's a tough one, I will probably poke around a bit on my own time, and see what I come up with, but being that I don't have too much free time these days, it will probably take a while to get some recon. But, at the rate things are going with the pier now, nothing is going to change in the next 6 months anyway.... but...I really could just hit the power ball for 100 mil, so I could just throw down 20 mil and do a Howard Hughes like project and tell somebody to "just fix it". I would even go there every day with a cigarette holder and a bathrobe and slippers and bust the workers b-lls to have it done by summer 2007!
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Post by eden11 on Jun 8, 2006 3:51:54 GMT -5
Dont let them get you down...it could be done. Keep playing the powerball and I will as well.
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Post by FlyinGN on Jun 8, 2006 6:16:59 GMT -5
not getting you down.. Just being realistic. If you want Ill say that yes it can be done:) if it makes ya feel better.
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