The Myrtle Beach Pavilion is closing?!?!?!

[swampfox43]

Hmmm...I don't know if I would have kept the Wild Mouse. For today's safety standards, it would surely fail most inspections. It definitely looks like it could fall apart. I think building the Gay Dolphin store in place of it was probably the better option.

There are still a few of these old model Wild Mice still running at US parks. Many of the coaster enthusiasts like them better than the newer versions like the Pavilion has now. The older ones seemed more precarious. The track was narrower and the feeling of going over the edge was greater. Sounds fun to me! LOL!

Unfortunately, during my first visit to Myrtle Beach in 1969, the Mouse had already been moved. I know if I had seen it though, even at age 8, I would've wanted to ride. Just the thrill seeker in me I guess.

[Plasticman]

We had a thread about this a couple of years ago, so this is not just out of nowhere. Its been in the works for a while. At that time they were talking about some sort of hotel wiht an indoor roller coaster, or one that went around the exterior of the building. I personally think this move will take away what little charm is left in the old part of MB. But hey, lets put another highrise hotel/condo combo and a Wings. Myrtle Beach could sure use a few more of those.

Yep. Who needs great amusement rides by the beach for kids when they can go into any Wave's, Wing's, Pacific, etc. and pick up a Hermit Crab for 25 cents .

After going to Myrtle Beach every year as a child and having finally got to take my own kids there over the past few years, they were absolutey thrilled when we bought the all-day tickets to the Pavillion. They loved the Mouse coaster, the river ride, and the haunted house. While I agree the big coaster was jerky, the park was great!! By the way, I signed the petitiion. It has over 10,000 names now. Surely enough to at least make the owners of the property take notice.

Good luck!!

[myrtlesquare]

Do you really think the Pavilion is closing? Think about this for a minute:

The revenue from the Pavilion has been decreasing gradually for the past few years (especially when they charged admission into the park about 6 years ago). When Burroughs and Chapin announced that it was closing, they also created advertising about the Pavilion, mentioning phrases such as One Last Time and One Final Ride. Wouldn't this bring in profit from anyone who would want to ever go back to the Pavilion now knowing that it's closing?

Would you go back today because you knew you couldn't in two years?

Knowing this, Burroughs and Chapin might decide at the last minute to keep the park open. It's a great marketing technique if that's what they're planning. I have never been to the Pavilion, so my opinions about the amusement park may be biased.

[wellen]

I don't know if this has been linked before, but I stumbled across this story from the NY Times from 1998.

An interesting quote:

''If we were not the magnanimous, loving, caring company we are, we would abandon it [the Pavilion],'' said Mr. Wendel. If the Pavilion were closed, he added, it would just lead to further downtown deterioration.

[swampfox43]

What hypocrites they are! Thanks for sharing the article.

BTW, the Charlotte Observer posted an ad in todays Sunday paper Travel Section (June 11, 2006).

They are wanting people to email their Pavilion Amusement Park experience for an upcoming article in mid-July.

You can email your story to:

[email protected]

[scoop]

Any new developements on this issue? I visit this beach at least once a year.

[RagtimeOldtyme]

A new article appears on MB online from a writer who agrees with B&C's decision to bull-doze the Pavilion.

This writer obviously has no concept of the preservation of historical places and feels the only way to improve is to tear down and build new.

Gosh, how short-sighted some people are.

The writer feels that B&C, being called greedy, is wrong. Does he really think we are that naive?

Though I have to say I have never been to Myrtle Beach, and do not even live in South Carolina, I would like to add that I am all for preservation of the historic Pavilion. I noticed some interesting things in the rebuttal article.

"Several years ago, the company announced plans to move the park. The public became enraged. B&C changed its plans and even spent several years in the 1990s upgrading the place and eventually added the roller coaster, the Hurricane."[1]

Well. Can anyone fill me in on exactly what B&C did to "upgrade the place"? I understand that the coaster did bring in many new visitors, however, I will trust the opinion of the coaster fan that it needs contiuous maintenance, and lack of same was causing the coaster to be an uncomfortable ride. I wonder whether this and the fact they have "let the place slide over the past 3-5 years"

is some master plan of theirs, that they are deliberately running the place into the ground as an excuse to sell it off and turn the place into condos and such.

"Then the outrage died down and attendance began to drop from its peak seven years ago and has been stagnate ever since. The company subsidized the park to keep it open and break even - because most of the people, irate about its possible closing, stopped coming, residents and tourists alike."[1]

I would be interested in knowing exactly which individual(s) were responsible for implementing the recent policy of charging admission fees for the park, and why. Didn't they figure that this additional cost might turn off those who could just barely afford a nice, enjoyable day at the park? Exactly how much is this admission fee? If it is an arm and a leg I could understand why attendance has been dropping off, but if it isn't that much, the real park diehards don't have a good excuse for not patronizing their favorite establishment. Unless...

1. The presumed downturn the management/quality of the park has taken is turning people off, and/or:

2. They just don't want to spend their money there, knowing it will be going to B&C.

"They may have fond memories about the park, but they stopped going through its turnstiles. If the park was still relevant and an important part of the area's architecture that would not have happened.

It might be easy to point the finger at Burroughs & Chapin for the park's demise, but maybe some of those irate petitioners should point at themselves." [1]

I don't mean to point a finger myself or accuse you upstanding citizens of anything, but let me ask candidly: Have you been going to the park often lately, especially before you knew it was slated for demolition/removal? Could any of you be partially responsible for the "downturn of attendance" at the park? If it is personal/family problems preventing from coming often, or you just live too far away, I can understand. However, as in any hobby/area of interest, I understand that the diehard fans are usually in the minority. So even if you all went as often as possible, it might not make a great difference in a smaller average attendance.

The average tourist or resident Joes and Janes who come through may or may not have fond memories of the park, but not having any super-strong attachment to it, they need to be persuaded to come and spend their time and money and have fun. If it seems the park is being run into the ground/looks seedy, then they may not feel it's worth a side trip. If it is well-kept and maintained (and prices are reasonable) than they ought to come in droves. Of course, location is an important part too, but judging from the apparent value of the land, Pavilion must be located in a prime spot.

Regarding the other main article that has been posted, the New York Times one from 1998, I must say, I extremely hate the words "trendy", "upscale", "vulgar", and "dated". When I hear any one of those words used in any context, I get pissed off. When I hear several of them, I riot. This article uses all of them and needless to say, I majorly rioted when I saw this article.

The article [2] says that Myrtle Beach is/was "...a $2-billion-a-year resort community that [Douglas P. Wendel']s concern, the Burroughs & Chapin Company, has shaped as no other entity has. At one time, Burroughs & Chapin owned the entire oceanfront." I am curious. Did this include the Pavilion amusement area? Have they owned it off and on or is this a recent thing? I hope you'll pardon my ignorance and I know the answers are out there, but I am interested in this group's take on things.

"The company has aggressively stepped up its development effort since Mr. Wendel was named chairman and chief executive five years ago. He was the first outsider to head the company, still held and directed by descendants of the founders, F. G. Burroughs and Simeon Chapin." [2]

Do you suppose that the new management might be why the company is now wanting to tear down the Pavilion park? Were they pretty innocuous towards it before?

"Mr. Wendel developed Broadway at the Beach, a 350-acre complex of theaters, shops and restaurants a few miles from the oceanfront that proved vacationers wanted more than just sand and surf. The company expected completion in 10 years, but it took just three. The complex features Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe, the first trendy national chains to open restaurants here."[2]

[ugh, 'trendy'] So, how has this Broadway thing been working out? Doing well? Making the big bucks, rolling in the smackeroos??!? I wonder, the out-of-towners; do they go out of their way for this, or is it the AMUSEMENT PARK that draws them in??? Now, I know people have to eat, so I can understand that after they get of the roller coaster(s) and other fun stuff, they want to settle their gut. And restaurants such as these may seem attractive. And, while in town, they might want to see a movie or buy some trinket. However, I doubt that these mundane things alone bring in many people to the area. It is the unique things that make people go out of their way and make memories.

"THE downtown area's primary tourist attraction, the Pavilion, an amusement park owned by Burroughs & Chapin, looks more and more dated every year as the company has pursued its other projects. Stores sell vulgar T-shirts and items that could be used for illegal drugs." [2]

I'll put this plainly. Not only does the use of the words 'vulgar' and 'dated' get to me, but this excerpt is a classic example of propaganda journalism at its worst. Lyn Riddle has twisted mundane and not-so-bad facts into what is supposed to be repugnant and horrific. I think the author must have a turned-up nose, or is trying to appeal to those types of stuck-up people, since he/she obviously thinks that 'vulgar t-shirts' and 'items that could be used for illegal drugs' are a sign of a serious downturn. Well, maybe they are to some people, but my idea of a serious downturn is when the park's safety has gone from outstanding to a rape/murder every night, and gangs hanging around at all hours, etc. etc. which I seriously doubt has happened. I don't think that a few tasteless t-shirts and blown glass bongs (if that's what the author is referring to) are such a big deal compared to what else could be happening with the park.

[please pardon me for excerpting so much of the article in a chunk below]

"The Grande Dunes, which will include a 400-room hotel, will rise on a one-mile stretch of oceanfront, the last large tract of undeveloped land within the city limits.

It will include two golf courses, oceanfront condominiums with prices beginning at $450,000, golf villas and three marinas on the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition, the resort will include an equestrian center, a golf school, detached homes and a downtown-like shopping district.

''The success of projects like that will change the mix here,'' said Mayor McBride. ''Resorts like that are more family oriented. You don't see video poker on every corner in Hilton Head.'' [2]

This article was written a while ago (over 7 years), so I will assume this thing has been built by now. I wonder, is it really that good for the community? It looks like the company is trying to create another Ocean Reef Club. Is this really what the residents want? (and I don't mean the new ones moving into those expensive condos). Since when are golf courses and a shopping district "family oriented"? Have parents been taking their kiddies down to "have a swing"? I'm sure miniature golf is all well and good, and as much as I enjoy this (and would enjoy the other sport too if it weren't so expensive), I don't think that it would interest such a wide variety of kids. You might not see video poker in Hilton Head, but do you see many kids, either?

"The downtown area can't be fully revitalized and become a hub of year-round activity as long as [Pavilion Amusement Park is] there." [1]

I wonder, in a place with a regular hurricane season, do you really want year-round tourists and lots of residents? If I lived there and a hurricane hit, I'd be heading for the high timber, wouldn't you? Perhaps it's better that the area only be bustling part of the year, as I can't see myself swinging a golf club in 100 MPH winds. Of course, since I don't live in SC, I really am not too familiar with the whole hurricane situation. How do the tall apartment and office buildings hold up? How about the amusement area? Is year-round use a wise decision?

Here is what could happen if an amusement park, the main attraction and draw to a town/city, is shut down, to make room for new 'upscale' or 'high-rise' condos/apartments/resorts/whatever-else-you-call-'em:

http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/Asbu...rk/casino2.html

and more pictures:

http://www.side-o-lamb.com/AsburyMain.html

That story about the half-finished condos and eventual abandonment of most of the boardwalk gave me chills. If it could happen in Asbury Park, why couldn't it happen in Myrtle Beach? Though a few things like the Casino are still standing, the Palace Amusements building was torn down a couple of years ago.

...

To quote from the second article one final time:

"Benevolence has been the company's motto through the years and continues today, company officials said. The land on which the city's minor league ballpark is being built was donated by the company, as was part of the land on which the Myrtle Beach Convention Center stands.

Myrtle Beach enjoys access to the ocean, unequaled along the South Carolina coast, because of Burroughs & Chapin. The street ends were donated to the city, with parking provided about every other block along the miles of oceanfront. The company also donated an oceanfront park and the 320 acres for Myrtle Beach State Park." [2]

See? If they're so big-hearted, maybe they'll donate the amusement park to the city or at least sell it to a worthy buyer. Of course, we can all have pipe dreams.

Speaking of pipes, I doubt very much that the wrecking ball will go near the antique carousel and band organs, since they will probably have been sold off for quite a high price to private collectors/organizations who may or may not make them available to the public elsewhere. So I wouldn't worry too much about the future of the historic items themselves, it is staying together at this location that is important. A nice citizen's pro/con debate at city hall that is cool-headed might possibly be as effective as a hot-headed demonstration in saving the park. Or it might not. But I still believe that you who live in the area should organize and move to get something done.

signed,

RagtimeOldtyme

bibliography:

1. Bailey, Issac J. "Despite pleas, MB Pavilion should go". Myrtle Beach, The Sun News, March 22, 2006; http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtl...al/14157049.htm

2. Riddle, Lyn. "What Kind of Growth Is in Store for Myrtle Beach?". New York, The New York Times, December 6, 1998; http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...751C1A96E958260

----------

The Casino Part 2: The Decline... (and the rise?)

http://www.laffinthedark.com/articles/Asbu...rk/casino2.html

SIDE 'O LAMB

URBAN EXPLORATION AT THE JERSEY SHORE

ASBURY PARK, NJ

http://www.side-o-lamb.com/AsburyMain.html

[scoop]

Winds of change topple Myrtle Beach fixture

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/stori...30pavilion.html

Deleted pasted article. Do not paste articles in the future. -Spartan

[scoop]

Deleted pasted article. Do not paste articles in the future. -Spartan

Sorry about that man, I just read the article above and thought it was ok. I just cut and pasted a few paragraphs as seemingly the prior poster did.

Again, sorry.

[Spartan]

Its no problem. the big difference is that they included their opinion on the article, wher eas you just pasted directly. I realize thats a fine line, but it has to be drawn somewhere. In the future just remember to give your reasoning on why the srticle is important. Some quotes are ok if they are reinfocring your point.

[f0xym0p]

I went to the Pavilion this weekend and I am so sad that it is closing. I guess that will be the last time I see that place after visiting it at least once a year while I was growing up. It was so much fun and the Hurricane is one of the scariest roller coasters I've ever been on. As it got later into the night the park became pretty crowded--nothing like Carowinds at peak times, but still there were many people there and I'm sure the owners are making quite a bit since they announced the closing.

It does seem odd to have the family-friendly Pavilion on the strand among so many decidedly not family-friendly things, though. The Myrtle Beach strand has changed so much since the park opened and now it seems that the Pavilion just doesn't fit in anymore, sadly enough.

[uptownliving]

Anyone going this weekend? It is the last weekend this thing will be open to the public. I am going to try and do one last ride.

[Charleston native]

In referring to RagTime's comprehensive coverage of the Pavilion and answering uptown's question in this thread, my wife and I went to MB 2 weekends ago and thoroughly checked out the Pavilion area. I have come to several conclusions about this whole situation, and they will contradict what RagTime wrote.

The Pavilion area is indeed seedy in some parts, particularly around the Ocean Blvd and amusement park blocks. The "vulgar" T-shirts that the article talked about are indeed vulgar and disgusting. Almost the entire area consists of souvenir shops with T-shirts and trinkets that would offend most families...exactly the type of demographic MB should want spending money in the area. Do you honestly think many people want to go on vacation and see repugnant crap in the windows of most stores?! Let's not forget the many souvenirs sold blatantly in these stores such as, for example, a bubble blower designed so that the bubbles come out of a man's peppermint.

The Pavilion rides themselves have not been updated for years. As a matter of fact, some of them looked like glorified fair rides built in the 1960s; as a matter of fact, I've seen some fair rides in better condition. Entry-ways into the rides have bubblegum stuck all over them, creating a gross form of graffiti around the park. On a positive note, the park itself was somewhat well-maintained with good landscaping, trees for shade, and benches for resting. The historical arcade still looks great and should be preserved no matter what other development is built.

All in all, our trip was great in that it reminded us of the times when we were younger and spent time as kids enjoying beachside fun. However, B & C obviously dropped the ball in attracting families and keeping the park suitably profitable. Ripley's attractions clearly were in much better condition and provided a bright spot in the DT area. I really wish someone would buy out this firm and re-create this part of MB into the jewel it once was.

[monsoon]

Yes, B&C had let the Pavillion become very run down in the last few years and they didn't have any plans to do anything to it until they managed to get it closed. They have been threatening closures for years to get concessions from the city and they finally milked that cow dry, so it is closing for good. It's my guess and the rumor in Myrtle Beach, that there will be a mass urban renewal project to level not only the pavillion but most fo the seedy businesses and hotels there to be replaced by highrise pricy condos, shopping, etc. The land with it's state maintained beach is simply too valuable to remain in the hands of nasty teeshirt vendors, beer joints, arcades, and a closed amusement park. I expect they will level most of the stuff between the Pavillion down to the other amusement park at 3rd Ave South.

It is sad that corporate greed to make money has led to this. That used to be a nice sea side amusement park that we used to walk to and was fun for everyone. I didn't go to the closing because I didn't really want to go into such a seedy area.

[monsoon]

This weekend is the last weekend the park will be open. Never missing an opportunity to make a buck, Burroughs and Chapin, to celebrate the closing, has raised the price to $35 to get in.

[SouthJersey7]

This is a shame. Really though, with miles and miles of new development over the last few decades there's just no way the Pavillion could remain competitive. Sometimes I really hate the throwaway culture in this country

[alias007]

If I'm not mistaken, B&C kept Disney from coming in and building a theme park in MB. At first they were going to build on the old air force base. Then, they were going to build over the Waccamaw buildings. Eventually Disney picked up there briefcases and left because they had enough of the B&C mafia.

Has anyone else heard this? Does anyone know if this was just a rumor or if its fact?

[monsoon]

This was an old rumor. Actually a very old one. There were never any plans to put an amusement park on the former AFB.

[rockhilljames]

Actually, neither of you are really correct.

Disney was not involved, but there were very serious plans to build a theme park there:

From wiki:

"In November 1993, the State of South Carolina received 1,545 acres of the former air base in a land swap with the federal government. Timberland Properties Inc. obtained the option to develop a theme park on most of that land. The state in return gave land in Sumter next to Shaw Air Force Base.

During the summer of 1994 the Myrtle Beach Air Base Redevelopment Authority was formed.

In 1995 Timberland Properties Inc., exercised its option to buy the more than 900 acres from Santee Cooper to build a theme park called Isle of America. However in 1997 TPI defaults on its contract by not starting construction of its theme park and subsequently declared bankruptcy."

[monsoon]

And how do you know whoever bothered to write that in the Wiki knew what they were talking about. It isn't a definitive source.

The State of South Carolina never had any claim on the former Myrtle Beach AFB per the arrangement military made with Myrtle Beach and the Horry County when the land was first taken to make it into an Army Base before the Air Force was created. The state disagred with this contention and it took a while to sort it out. Meanwhile there were huge areas on the base that contained toxic and dangerous materials and it took years further for the military to clean it up. The AFB eventually ended up in the hands of Horry County.

There were never any "real" plans to put an amusement park on this base.

[g-man430]

The only thing that remains now is the roller coaster and a few other things. Here is an article from 1/17/07 about it: http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtl...ne/16482671.htm

[rockhilljames]

And how do you know whoever bothered to write that in the Wiki knew what they were talking about. It isn't a definitive source.

The State of South Carolina never had any claim on the former Myrtle Beach AFB per the arrangement military made with Myrtle Beach and the Horry County when the land was first taken to make it into an Army Base before the Air Force was created. The state disagred with this contention and it took a while to sort it out. Meanwhile there were huge areas on the base that contained toxic and dangerous materials and it took years further for the military to clean it up. The AFB eventually ended up in the hands of Horry County.

There were never any "real" plans to put an amusement park on this base.

[monsoon]

Oh good googly-moogly. Look it up yourself, I don't feel like Googling it for you. The Sun Times had tons of articles on it. Timberland Properties was a real entity, with real money, with real plans to build an amusement park.

Unfortunately for them, they didn't really have enough money and couldn't deliver the park on time.

...but yes, there were real plans. Dissing wiki and splitting hairs doesn't change that.

[rockhilljames]

I used it to pull up a quote and site a source. If you dig in the Sun archives you'll find all you need to back up Timberland's plans.

At one point they printed renderings of it.

What I'm saying, and it's kind of a silly thing to argue about, is that there were real, concrete plans to build an amusment park at the old AFB.

[swampfox43]

Here is a live webcam of the Hurricane roller coaster being demolished:

http://addisonfilms.com/pav_camera/