Coney Island amusement park in Ohio is closed and converted into a music venue

News

By Sherine Khalil, News.com.au

published
December 16, 2023 at 6:42 AM ET

Ohio’s popular Coney Island water park will soon close its doors for good.

Coney Island announced Thursday that the entire property including the Sunlite Pool will close permanently on December 31 following the Nights of Lights event.

Not to be confused with Coney Island in New York City.

But Cincinnati’s beloved 137-year-old amusement park will be replaced with a brand new entertainment venue.

Acquired by Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI), a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO), will be renovated into a $118 million “state-of-the-art” music venue.

“We thank our millions of patrons and employees from Cincinnati and the surrounding neighborhoods,” Coney Island officials said in a news release.

“You have made this a special place for all of us. But it is time for this historic destination to offer new and different options for those seeking entertainment and unique experiences.”

The music venue will include a state-of-the-art sound system, adaptive seating and a standing area, and has been described as a “one-of-a-kind entertainment campus” designed to be a “must-play” stop for the music industry’s hottest acts.

“We are building a new home for live music events that will provide an enchanting combination of cutting-edge technology and architectural significance,” Jonathan Martin, president of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, said in a statement. statement.

“This new development will herald the future of the music industry, and we are proud to lead the next step in the same way Riverbend changed the face of live music in our community 40 years ago when it opened.

“Now, with the historic success CSO has achieved with Riverbend and PNC Pavilion, we are creating an expanded music, arts and entertainment campus in the region to drive artistic excellence and innovation as well as the local economy.”

Coney Island first opened in 1886 with Sunlite Pool opening in 1925 — and following news of its closure, many took to social media to express their shock, calling it an “absolute tragedy.”

“This is disgusting. Show Riverbend and build this if you want, but leave Coney Island alone,” one person wrote on X.

Another said: “Really disappointed,” while a third added: “Sad, sad. So many precious memories.”

A fourth wrote: “This is a shame. Over 100 years of history is about to be erased in favor of another music venue.

Others criticized that there are already too many ambient music venues.

“Don’t we have enough music venues? The Bend of the River right next door? A new venue downtown and one in Newport? Not to mention other older venues all over the tri-state. Why do we need another?” One person’s skin.

“Heartbreaking, especially losing Sunlite Pool!” said another.

However, many supported it and welcomed the change.

“This is great. People just love to complain. An upgrade was needed long before now,” one person wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Martin and Mimi’s CEO, Mike Smith, said the initial design of the venue is a work in progress and some decisions have not been finalised.