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Nashville Shores Has New Owners-John Dunn
FOX 17 News
The new owners of Nashville Shores are promising big changes and a lot of excitement at the water park.
They will be spending millions of dollars transforming the park and creating what many hope will be a premier family attraction for Middle Tennessee.
The giant slides are deserted, the pools are empty, but behind the scenes at Nashville Shores there is a lot going on.
"We can't think of another situation in the country that's as good as this for a great water park," says Kieran Burke.
Kieran Burke and his business partner Gary Story used to run 39 theme and water parks at Six Flags.
Now, they have started a new venture by buying Nashville Shores.
"You have an excellent business community, you have terrific tourism, so you have all the ingredients really to support a first class attraction," says Burke.
Nashville Shores will reopen in May and the new owners promise you will notice changes that will make this an even better experience.
"I think it will be a transformation here," says Burke.
Burke and Story plan to invest millions of dollars at the park adding new attractions, and improving the campgrounds and marina.
"Great testament for Nashville. It is great news for Nashville's hospitality industry," says Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau President.
Nashvilles CVB hopes added investment at Nashville Shores will provide an additional boost to tourism.
"There was void and I think they see the opportunity to help fill that void," says Spyridon.
Many believe that void was created when the Opryland theme park closed in 1997.
Metro Councilman at large Charlie Tygard has long called for more family entertainment, and believes the new owners at Nashville Shores can help.
"Any projects, especially one privately funded, that will help attract families back to Nashville is a great thing for our city," says Tygard.
Just like the slides at the water park, the plans now being created are big.
"And when it's all finally done and people drive here, I think it's going to create a great buzz and I think people are going to really enjoy it," says Burke.
The new owners say even though they will be investing millions of dollars in the park, prices will still be affordable.
They expect to announce their big plans for Nashville Shores during the first week of December.Nashville Shores Has New Owners-John Dunn
Posted: Wednesday, November 4 2009, 08:04 PM CST
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