Former P.E.I. amusement park part of sale to Maritime Fun Group

CAVENDISH, P.E.I. — A former amusement park close to Cavendish identified for the area shuttle on the garden has been bought to the Maritime Enjoyable Group.

Matthew Jelley, president of the group, instructed SaltWire Community on July 27 that one among his corporations now owns the Nice Island Science and Journey Park in Bayview (previously Captain Bart’s Journey Park), and Black Magic Mini-Golf in Cavendish.

The acquisition of the 2 companies is a part of Maritime Enjoyable Group’s acquisition of Motion Attraction Ltd., which was owned by Bart and Patricia Bourne.

The whole 45 acres of the Nice Island Science and Journey Park closed in 2008 however a petting zoo referred to as Jurassic Bart’s did run on the property till 2018.

Jelley stated in 2017, his group labored to subdivide the Bourne science park property concurrently it took over the previous King Tut Tomb attraction and the River of Journey Mini-Golf, redeveloping the latter two into the Cavendish Seashore Journey Zone.

On the time, the Bournes determined to retain the Black Magic Mini-Golf however Jelley’s group remained .

“Over the previous 5 years, we had a lot of discussions and, during the last 12 months, issues actually got here collectively,’’ Jelley stated. “On the identical time, the problem of maintaining the previous Nice Island Science and Journey Park was definitely changing into a problem for Mrs. Bourne so we simply determined to make the transaction a bit bigger so we bought the complete firm.’’

No plans for web site

Jelley stated the journey park won’t be repurposed into a brand new amusement park.

“Presently, we shouldn’t have any plans for that property apart from decommissioning among the older amusement park buildings situated on the property,’’ he stated, noting that the realm will probably be cleaned up. “One other factor I’m conscious of in our business is that we’re dedicated to working very onerous on the looks of our properties.’’

Jelley stated Maritime Enjoyable Group has intensive expertise in decommissioning former amusement parks, citing Crystal Palace in Moncton, N.B., in addition to Rainbow Valley and the unique wax museum in Cavendish as examples.

As for the Black Magic Mini-Golf, the foyer was renovated within the spring and a few additions have been made elsewhere. Maritime Enjoyable Group can also be within the means of designing and including an extra attraction to the situation however Jelley wouldn’t provide additional remark.

Corryn Clemence, chief govt officer of the Tourism Trade Affiliation of P.E.I., stated the sale is welcome information for the tourism business.

“Given what we’ve skilled over the previous few years it’s nice to see some reinvestment into tourism,’’ Clemence stated July 27. “We regularly discuss in regards to the significance of clustering on this business and selections like this create a important mass within the (Cavendish) space. It helps to generate visitors, hold folks within the space and on the Island.’’

Dave Stewart is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island