If you talk to any longtime Nashvillian, the word “Opryland” holds a feeling of earnest admiration.
In May 1972, Opryland USA opened its doors to the public, two years ahead of the legendary Grand Ole Opry House.
For about twenty five years, the “Home for American Music” entertained guests with its carnival-like attractions, live music shows, and thrilling roller-coasters until 1997. That year, the park closed a variety of different factors.
Now, those who have longed for an amusement park to take the place of the revered Opryland might just get their wish.
Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Company, in collaboration with Gaylord Entertainment Company, is bringing a water/snow themed park to Nashville.
The new theme park will host a variety of water-oriented attractions in the summertime and feature authentic snow for recreational enjoyment in the winter.
Parton, via press release, expressed enthusiasm towards the announcement.
“I’m so excited about this opportunity,” Dolly Parton said. “I am confident that partnering my Dollywood Company with a great company like Gaylord will create something truly special. We’re all working on new types of entertainment to do in the daytime and nighttime for the whole family so we bring new folks to the area year round.”
The 50 million dollar project will break ground sometime between the end of this year and the beginning of 2013 with a planned opening of summer 2014. The new park is expected to employ 450 workers.
The first-of-its-kind attraction, soon to be located closely to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, is the first anchor in an overall plan that could involve future development.
Tennessee governor Bill Haslam gave insight into the positive impact the new park will have on tourism.
“Tourism is the second largest industry in Tennessee, generating more than a billion dollars in tax revenue annually and employing more than 170,000 Tennesseans,” Haslam said. “This project will be a welcome addition to the wide variety of attractions and destinations across our great state, and I applaud the collaboration and spirit that has led to this announcement.”
Mayor Karl Dean also shed light on the project.
“Music City has become a travel destination unlike any other in the country,” Dean said. “The addition of this family entertainment complex near Opryland adds a critical missing piece to our tourist offerings. It provides a unique leisure attraction that will further enhance our already booming hospitality industry, which is one of our city’s top private sector employers.”
Dr. Randy Bostic, director of development for Lipscomb’s College of Business, also believes that the new theme park will have positive effects on local tourism.
“I think my first initial reaction to this was that this is going to be great for Tennessee. It’s going to be for Nashville because it’s going to bring folks in from out of town.”
One area of interest in the new water/snow park’s opening concerns the fact that two other water-oriented attractions, Nashville Shores and Wave Country, also currently call Nashville home.
Dr. Bostic believes that the new water/snow park will likely bring in a national level of tourism, whereas Nashville Shores and Wave Country focus on attracting a more local set of visitors.
“I think with Gaylord’s national, even worldwide, presence, that they will attract a different customer.” Dr. Bostic said. “I think it’s very likely that they will bring in new people. Now for us as Nashvillains, I think we’re going to have a third option.”
Dr. Bostic himself, a 25-year resident of Nashville, also holds fond memories of Opryland, especially the Grizzly River Rampage, a popular water ride. He also looks forward to bringing his own family to the future attraction, holding a special interest in the snow-themed park.
Other locals hold the same fond memories as Dr. Bostic. The announcement has brought back memories of Opryland, once a major factor in many people’s childhoods and pasts.
Freshman civil engineering major Evan Loechelt remembers spending time at the park with his family – most notably his grandfather.
“Well, when I was a child, my family and I had season passes for every year until it closed down.” Loechelt said.
“When I was about three years old, I remember going down one of the flume rides with my grandfather, and that was probably one of the best moments that I had there.”
While memories of Opryland seem to linger with this announcement, many locals wonder if the new water/snow-themed attractions will the gap that Opryland left behind.
Dr. Bostic believes the water/snow park will offer an entirely new experience, different from what Opryland left behind.
“I don’t know if anybody’s going to see it that way. I don’t know if I see it as filling Opryland’s shoes.”
At the end of the day, whether the new park will fill a long-empty gap or make a new place for itself, many Nashvillians will likely be glad to see Nashville once again host a large-scale attraction.
Photo pulled from PRWeb.com