York County OK’s 15-year development district surrounding Carowinds
Carowinds might have ruined the weekend of a few dozen roller coaster enthusiasts with news of the park’s plans to retire the Thunder Road rollercoaster this summer.
But for the park — retiring the 39-year-old ride that’s carted 40 million screaming fans is just another step in a larger master plan to revitalize the Cedar Fair-owned park that straddles the state line.
The ride is being retired to make room for future park growth which is part of a more than $50 million multi-year investment plan, park spokeswoman Laresa Thompson told WSOC-TV.
“Everything that you see, we’re doing for our guests,” Thompson said. “This is what our guests have asked for. We heard you, we’re listening.”
The park added Fury 325, along with 900 more parking spaces and officials said to expect more surprises soon.
Carowinds’ $50 million plan for upgrades goes well beyond the $20 million it promised York County in exchange for redirecting a portion of new sales tax on admission tickets to the park. Under a plan approved by the county council earlier this month, Carowinds can set aside that money for improvements within a designated development district surrounding the park.
Previous projects, under a 1999 development district that expired in 2014, included upgrades to the I-77/Exit 90 interchange at Carowinds Boulevard, park vice president and Chief Operating Officer Jerry Helms said.
“[The money is] going to be there and when things come along that the county needs to do to help the business community, we’ll be able to do our part and help make those things happen,” he added, unsure of exactly how much might be set aside for future improvements.
