Retirement? Did he say that?

Sunday, 28 May 2006

Cedar Fair chief Kinzel says Paramount 'integration' might keep him busy past 2007.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Dick Kinzel may have said he would retire at the end of the 2007 season.

But words -- like the world roller coaster records he continually reclaims -- can be taken back.

"I would stay through the integration," Kinzel said with twinkle in his eye.

The 2007 retirement date is being discussed by the board of directors.

Monday, Kinzel announced Cedar Fair was nearly doubling the size of its company by purchasing the CBS-owned Paramount Parks. The $1.24 billion purchase adds five parks to the partnership, including the long sought Kings Island, near Cincinnati.

Cedar Fair already has seven amusement parks and five waterparks.

Kinzel said Wednesday it would take three to five years to integrate the five new parks. However, unlike most acquisitions, these parks are already well-maintained. Still, there is a little bit of Cedar Fair he would like to impress upon the new parks.

Three years ago, Kinzel, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair, announced his impending retirement.

Some were skeptical. Named president and CEO in 1986, Kinzel has a job that's also his hobby. Amusement parks are what he knows, and does best.

The Toledo native began his career in the industry in the food department at Cedar Point in 1972. He later served as director of park operators before being named vice president and general manager of Minnesota's Valleyfair, before returning to lead the whole company in 1986.

Kinzel has always said as long as he is CEO, the headquarters of Cedar Fair would remain in the city of Sandusky because that's where his family lives.

With the Paramount acquisition, Cedar Point officials have said the lease at the Paramount headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., is being looked at for a possible move.

The lease is up in September, Kinzel said.

But with Kinzel at the helm for longer, Sandusky may remain the home base.

Meanwhile, Kinzel is enjoying leading the partnership through the largest acquisition in its history.

While some thought the mystery ride being built at the former site of White Water Landing at Cedar Point would mark his departure, the Paramount purchase is taking the spotlight.

Now, "I will have to come up with something else," Kinzel said, laughing.

An announcement about the White Water Landing site will come in the later part of August.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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