It opens this coming Saturday - details, etc:
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NEW PARK READY TO TEST WATERS IN NMB
Surrounding businesses hopeful for traffic boost
NORTH MYRTLE BEACH -- Several North Myrtle Beach businesses anticipate a boost in traffic after a new amusement park opens here, possibly attracting more people to the city.
The O.D. Pavilion and Amusement Park, named for the city's Ocean Drive section where it is located, sits between First Avenue South and Main Street on the beach side of Ocean Boulevard.
The park is scheduled to open Saturday. Its rides were installed this week, according to Mark Lazarus, one of the park's planners who also owns a water park in Surfside Beach.
"I think the park will definitely help," said Benny Visan, manager of Kings at the Beach on Main Street in North Myrtle Beach. "It will attract more people to the area, and while people will be in the area, they will check my store out and hopefully spend some money."
Denise Christy, who works in an ice cream shop on Main Street, hopes the park will help bring more people into her Dairy King.
"We're looking forward to it," Christy said. "We're looking forward to anything that's going to increase the business in downtown North Myrtle Beach. With the economic times, we hope it turns out to be a good venture for them and turn out good for all of us," said Christy, who works at Dairy King on Main Street.
The park, which includes a Ferris wheel and small roller coaster, will be open through Labor Day weekend, Lazarus said. Plans are to operate a full summer schedule next year, he said.
The park is a joint venture with H.G. Worley Jr., who owns the land with his family and is the son of Horry County Councilman Harold Worley. The rides are provided by a firm called Dreamland Amusements and will be taken down when the park closes.
Marc Jordan, president and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber plans to work with the park planners to see about making the park site a permanent location as they prepare for next season.
Meanwhile, nearby business operators who hope to benefit from the park opening say they won't immediately consider alterations at their locations to attract customers.
"We're not making any changes at all," Christy said. "We just have to see how many people come in and gauge how many employees we need if there is a crowd."
Visan said he is "ready for business no matter what."
Open | Saturday
Address | 90 S. Ocean Blvd. (at the Horseshoe), North Myrtle Beach
Hours | 4 to 11 p.m. daily (park times may vary with seasons)
Cost | $1.25 per ticket; can buy a book of tickets
Rides | Ferris wheel, swing, slide, carousel, bumper cars, circus train, kiddie roller coaster, tea cup ride, dino ride, games
Food | Funnel cake trailer, popper stand with candy apples and cotton candy
Web site:
http://www.odpavilion.com/
http://www.thesunnews.com/news/local/story/1003065.html
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