Park's Management to Transfer
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Hoa Minh Le, Assistant General Manager
(408) 840-7152
hoa.le@gilroygardens.org
Neighboring Amusement Parks Share Management Agreement
GILROY, CALIF (September 22, 2011) – Barbara-Lea Granter, vice president and general manager of Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park, announced today that management of Gilroy Gardens will remain linked to management of California’s Great America, and so will transfer to JMA Ventures, LLC upon approval of the recently announced sale by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN) of California’s Great America to JMA.
Earlier this week, executives at Cedar Fair confirmed that they have entered an agreement to sell California’s Great America amusement park to JMA Ventures, a full service real estate investment firm based in San Francisco. The City of Santa Clara, which owns the land Great America is built on, must approve the sale. Pending purchase approval, JMA expects to begin operating Great America in the fourth quarter of 2011. Gilroy Gardens and Great America have shared a management agreement for the past eight years.
“JMA has a wealth of experience managing properties spanning hospitality, leisure and large-scale lifestyle, including, among others, Homewood Mountain Ski Resort,” said Todd Chapman, CEO of JMA Ventures, LLC. “We will continue to rely on the talented and dedicated on-site management team at Gilroy Gardens to ensure that the park remains one of the area’s most popular family attractions.”
Gilroy Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, run by a local volunteer Board of Directors. Gilroy Gardens’ land and assets are owned by the City of Gilroy. The sale of California’s Great America to JMA does not affect the City of Gilroy’s ownership of Gilroy Gardens, the park’s 501(c)(3) status, nor the role of the local volunteer Board of Directors.
For a complete operating calendar, upcoming events, or to purchase a 2012 Gilroy Gardens Membership, please visit www.gilroygardens.org or call (408) 840-7100.
About Gilroy Gardens
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is located in Gilroy, CA at 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy (Hwy 152), and is California's only horticultural theme park featuring more than 40 family attractions including six majestic gardens, educational exhibits, rides and the world famous Circus Trees. The park has been awarded a Golden Ticket Award in annual polls conducted by Amusement Today newspaper for Best Landscaping in 2nd or 3rd place, every year since 2005.
About JMA Ventures, LLC
JMA Ventures, LLC (“JMA”) is a full service San Francisco based real estate investment company with in-house acquisition, development, finance, leasing, marketing and management capabilities. The company has compiled a 20-year track record of successful projects, both residential and commercial, combining investment and development expertise with a commitment to the highest quality of design. JMA currently serves as general partner for in excess of $500 million of real estate investments across the western United States. For more information, please visit www.jmaventuresllc.com.
JMA’s impressive portfolio encompasses some of the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier lifestyle and entertainment venues including Alpine Meadows, Homewood Mountain Ski Resort and West Shore Café and Inn in the Lake Tahoe area; Fairmont Heritage Place at Ghirardelli Square; and Waterbar and EPIC Roasthouse restaurants on San Francisco’s Embarcadero.
