Funtime, Inc.

Funtime, Inc was an American amusement and entertainment company located in Cleveland, Ohio.[1] The company was established in 1965. It owned several properties throughout its 31-year-long lifespan.

Funtime, Inc
TypePublic
IndustryAmusement parks
Founded1965 (1965)
Defunct1996 (1996)
FateSold to Premier Parks
HeadquartersCleveland, Ohio
Area served
United States

History

Funtime Inc. was established in 1965 when four former Cedar Point employees, including Gasper Lococo (1928–2016), a former military sergeant from Huron,[2] pooled their resources and purchased Geauga Lake in Ohio for $5 million.[3] The park had previously been owned by members of the Kuhlman/Schryer family.[4] In 1983, the company began managing Wyandot Lake in Columbus, Ohio.[5] That same year FunTime acquired 50% controlling interest in Darien Lake.[6] In 1995, Funtime entered into an agreement to manage Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut.[1]

Sale to Premier Parks

In August 1995 Funtime, Inc. was acquired by Premier Parks (later Six Flags) for $60 million.[7] The deal to manage Lake Compounce was canceled and the Kennywood Entertainment Company was awarded the contract.[8]

Properties
Name Location Year Opened Year Acquired Fate
Geauga Lake Aurora, Ohio 1887 1968 Sold to Six Flags in 1995 and later Cedar Fair in 2004. The Park permanently closed on September 16, 2007.
Darien Lake Darien, New York 1954 1983 Sold to Six Flags in 1995. And later PARC Management, Herschend Family Entertainment, Premier Parks LLC and currently EPR Properties with operations taken over by Six Flags.
Zoombezi Bay Columbus, Ohio 1977 1983 Sold to Six Flags in 1995, then to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in 2006.[9]

References
  1. "Nation's Oldest Fun Park To Get a Brand New Look". New York Times. New York, New York. July 22, 1995. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  2. "Funtime Inc. co-founder Gasper Lococo has died". Amusement Today. 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  3. "Geauga Lake History Page 2". www.geaugalaketoday.com. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  4. "Geauga Lake History". www.geaugalaketoday.com. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  5. Burns, Adrian (16 October 2006). "Changes idling Wyandot Lake in '07". Business First. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  6. "Funtime Inc. co-founder Gasper Lococo has died". Amusement Today. 2015-10-07. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  7. "Geauga Lake History Page 5". www.geaugalaketoday.com. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  8. "Lake Compounce - About Lake Compounce". Lake Compounce. 3 May 2018. Retrieved 2019-04-06.
  9. Matzer Rose, Marla (13 June 2006). "Zoo to keep Wyandot Lake afloat". The Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 6 April 2019.

Sources
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