More hard times for (the park formerly known as) Hard Rock Park

Despite not technically being in North Carolina, we have followed the ups and downs (mostly downs) of the Myrtle Beach-based Hard Rock Park/Freestyle Park -- for no other reason than we know a number of North Carolinians vacation in the "Redneck Riviera."

Well, the park may not open anytime soon.

"An attorney representing Freestyle Amusement Park on the South Carolina coast said Monday the operators of the park have no current plans to reopen this summer," says the Associated Press.

"There are currently no plans to reopen for 2010, however they are in negotiations still with several investors and that's subject to change if something were to happen with the investors," said attorney David Slough.

The financially troubled park in Myrtle Beach was to have reopened earlier this month. Last month, Freestyle closed its business offices and laid off about 30 workers. ...

Freestyle opened last Memorial Day weekend after buying Hard Rock Park out of bankruptcy and reworking some of the rides and themes.

The 55-acre Hard Rock opened in 2008, but closed after a single season. The $400 million park was the biggest single investment in South Carolina tourism.

Freestyle Amusement Park faces a Thursday deadline to pay off a $570,000 debt it inherited when it bought Hard Rock. ...

Quick hits: Ferry to Shackleford & a perfect storm hits MB park

Group wants input on sites for Shackleford Banks ferry
"Cape Lookout National Seashore is looking for a base of operations for ferry service to Shackleford Banks and wants the public’s input on potential sites in Beaufort and Morehead City," said the Daily News.

"The two towns offer the shortest ferry ride to Shackleford Banks, and the park service is studying potential departure sites for a single base of operations in the area, said Cape Lookout Management Assistant Wouter Ketel.

"A public meeting is set for Wednesday as part of an environmental assessment now under way.

"Ketel said the information will provide the public with information on possible sites already identified and also gather their input on those sites and any other ideas they may have. ..."

Myrtle Beach park hit by 'perfect storm'
"Freestyle Music Park, the successor of bankrupt Hard Rock Park, had a sub-par debut summer, but the park will survive, officials say.

" 'Overall, I’m real happy and proud of this summer,' said Steve Baker, president of FPI MB Entertainment, which bought the park out of bankruptcy in February.

" 'We got the park open. The park looks great, the employees are outstanding, and the guest reviews have been terrific. The results of the park are not what we wanted, but I don’t think we understood the economy like it was going to be,' " he told the Sun News.

"Unlike its predecessor, Freestyle is finishing its first summer without a threat of bankruptcy, but it wasn’t a financial home run. Several firms have filed lawsuits against the park to receive payment for services, and much of the summer was marked by deep discounting to attract thrill-seekers. ..."

Move over, Myrtle Beach. Bikers coming to New Bern

Bikers may not be welcome in Myrtle Beach, but the original home of N.C. governors and Pepsi is putting fresh sheets on its proverbial bed.

"After 68 years in Horry County, the Carolina Harley-Davidson Dealers Association motorcycle rally is hitting the road," says the (Myrtle Beach) Sun News.

"The association announced Monday it will move its May rally to New Bern, N.C., a town where it said it feels welcome.

"The dealers association, which has sponsored the oldest and shortest of the May events, said it will hold this year's rally May 15 and 16 at the New Bern Fairgrounds.

"Lummus said New Bern has a waterfront, plenty of hotel rooms and history, and Myrtle Beach had made it clear the rallies were no longer wanted. ..."

Quick hits: Bad news for Myrtle Beach bikers, the anti-smoking campaign and people who like water

Myrtle Beach declares no more Bike Weeks
"The city of Myrtle Beach and the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce have launched Web and print information letting visitors know that from the city's perspective, the May motorcycle rallies are over," says the Sun News.

"Myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com launched last week, and brochures are available for distribution primarily through local hotels.

" 'We have new laws, and we'd rather not surprise visitors,' city spokesman Mark Kruea said. 'We'd rather they have some idea of what to expect when they come here.' ..."


Bad grade for N.C. on smoking
"When the legislative session starts at the end of the month, health advocates will have a new way to prod lawmakers to raise cigarette taxes and expand smoking bans," says the News & Observer.

"North Carolina received failing grades in a new report card by the American Lung Association that surveyed state laws and spending on anti-smoking initiatives. ...

"With the state facing a budget crisis, anti-smoking advocates say it is again time to seriously consider increasing the cigarette tax because it raises money and reduces smoking. ..."


Drought enters third year
"While 2009 got off to a wet start with several inches of rain and flash flooding, Western North Carolina remains in a serious drought that is entering its third year," says the Citizen-Times in Asheville.

" 'This drought has been pretty significant for its longevity. We have limited records with good data from WNC only, but we can't find another three-year record like this,' said the state climatologist Ryan Boyles.

"Only 28.64 inches of rain fell on downtown Asheville last year, making 2008 the sixth driest year on record going back to 1902, according to the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville. The previous year, 2007, ranked third driest with 23.53, behind 1988 and 1925.

"But adding up the shortfall in rain for the past two years marks this drought as the worst for WNC in more than a century, said Richard Heim of NCDC. Averaging rainfall of all the mountain counties showed last year as the 10th driest on record, while 2008 was the second driest since 1895. The driest year on record is 1988. ..."

Hard Rock Park unlikely to open in '09, 2010 a possibility

Just a short drive from N.C. is Myrtle Beach, aka, the "Redneck Riviera." It's a popular spot for North Carolinians; let's face it, there's more "to do" in Myrtle Beach than in any of our state's beach destinations.

One thing that can be scratched off the "to do" list in MB - at least for the very near future - is Hard Rock Park.

"The auction of the $400 million Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach is under way, but even if a buyer is identified this week, it is doubtful the park will be able to reopen next year, the state's tourism chief said.

"The 55-acre park, which opened in April, is being sold as part of the bankruptcy case of its owner, RPH Myrtle Beach Holdings LLC," says the Associated Press.

"Chad Prosser, director of South Carolina's Parks Recreation and Tourism Department, said Monday he thinks the $35 million minimum bid for the park may be a stumbling block for potential buyers.

"The winning bidder would have to spend a lot of money to get the park up and running and to market it, Prosser said. And that also would take time, even if a buyer comes out of this week's auction.

" 'At this point, I think it would be difficult to open in 2009,' Prosser said. 'I think it's more likely 2010.' ..."

Have no fear, beachgoers. There's still plenty of good restaurants and golf in Myrtle Beach, not to mention Eagles, Wings and the poor man's Hooters.

Quick hits: New sports channel, interstate for the Carolinas

Fox Sports launches Carolinas network
"After agreeing to televise more Carolina Hurricanes games, landing a deal to carry the Charlotte Bobcats and adding South Carolina to its lineup, Fox Sports South decided it had enough programming to launch a Carolinas network," says the N&O.

"Hence the new Fox Sports Carolinas, to be abbreviated as FSCR in television program listings. You'll be able to get it on the same channel you're using to watch FSN South, for example channel 50 if you subscribe in Raleigh to Time Warner Cable. FSN South will send a more Carolinas-specific feed to Time Warner for viewers in those two states, says Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of Fox Sports South and FS Carolinas. ...

"FS Carolinas will televise 65 Canes games this year (up from 55), 70 Bobcats games and 43 ACC men's basketball games, including 19 on Sunday nights. The new regional sports network will look for additional opportunities to line up programming of local interest. ..."


New interstate to Myrtle Beach?
"South Carolina is now clear to start buying land for a new interstate to the Grand Strand," says the AP.

"State and federal highway officials signed papers Wednesday in Columbia for the northern stretch of Interstate 73. The action clears the way for buying land for the interstate between I-95 and the North Carolina state line. ...

"Interstate 73 will one day link Myrtle Beach and Michigan. It will provide the first interstate connection to the beach, which is the heart of South Carolina's $16 billion tourism industry. ..."

UPDATE: Hard Rock Park to reopen in '09

I had mentioned yesterday the report that Hard Rock Park in Myrtle Beach had closed. Word now is that it will reopen in 2009.

"After an inaugural season rocked by poor attendance and tight credit markets, Hard Rock Park wants to reorganize its debts, cut costs and market the park to a wider audience in an attempt to survive in 2009," says the Charlotte Observer.

"The park, off of U.S. 501, blamed a drop in tourism and its own inability to advertise out of the Myrtle Beach area for its cash problems, which forced it to grind to a halt Wednesday when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

"The park plans to reorganize under Chapter 11 and reopen in April. Under Chapter 11, businesses keep their creditors at bay while trying to rework their debt."

Hard Rock Park apparently "did not have cash for enough out-of-market advertising - which had a 'devastating' effect on attendance, according to documents.

"About 80 percent of visitors decided to come to the park before they came to Myrtle Beach, the park said in the documents.

"The park owes at least $343 million and has between $100 million and $500 million in assets, according to court filings. ..."

Ouch.

Quick hits: Bad news for SE N.C./NE S.C.

Tourism drops at N.C. beaches
"It appears there were fewer visitors to beaches in southeastern North Carolina this year," according to published reports.

"The Star-News of Wilmington reported that many operators in New Hanover and Brunswick counties reported fewer visitors and less spending than last year. ...

"In New Hanover, the room occupancy tax collected in the first six months of 2008 was slightly lower than the same time last year.

"In Brunswick County, there was a slight increase for the first six months of the year, although June collections were down 7 percent. ..."

Hard Rock Park owner files Chapter 11
"Hard Rock Park has closed for the year after losing a whole lotta money," according to the Star-News.

"The owner of the Myrtle Beach amusement park filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Wednesday, ending an inaugural season that fell far below projections for the 55-acre, $400 million rock ’n’ roll attraction. When it opened in April, park officials planned to stay open through what it called 'rocktoberfest' and even have some programs during the Christmas season. ..."

Pavilion rides find new home

We've discussed previously that the demise of Myrtle Beach's Pavilion is not necessarily N.C.-related; however, it's important to realize that so many North Carolinians have fond memories of the now-defunct slice of Americana.

That's why it's a big deal that the Pavilion's rides have found a new home, according to The Sun News.

"Some rides from the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park will find a new home at Broadway at the Beach, Burroughs & Chapin announced today," said the paper.

"The new mini-park, to be called the Pavilion Nostalgia Park, is slated to open sometime this summer, be open year-round and feature the following rides from the former Myrtle Beach landmark: the historic carousel and German organ; the Pirate Ship; the Wave Swinger; Caterpillar; arcade and midway games; and a number of kiddie rides. A retail store and special historical section also are planned."