by Brent Hovey
Reporter
Aurora -- The Big Dipper is included on a general list of items which will be auctioned off at Geauga Lake, according to the Web site of the company in charge of the auction.
Norton Auctioneers -- www.nortonacutioneers.com -- updated its Web site last week. Listed under "equipment" to be auctioned are "coasters; major, adult and kiddy rides; paddle wheel ferry boats; space tower; campgrounds; camping trailers; and all types of amusement park equipment and memorabilia."
It goes on to list the "1926 National Amusement Landmark Coaster" -- the Big Dipper wooden coaster -- will be offered at the auction "subject to the approval of buyer by seller."
The auction at Geauga Lake is scheduled for June 17 and 18.
The Big Dipper has been a concern since Geauga Lake's parent company -- Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. -- announced the closing of the amusement side of the park last September.
Cedar Fair had hired a Canada-based company -- Martin & Vleminckx Rides LLC -- to sell the 83-year old Big Dipper and two other wooden coasters -- the Villain and Raging Wolf Bobs.
The company has been unsuccessful in its attempts to sell the rides, according to said Carole Sanderson of the American Coaster Enthusiasts.
Calls to Martin & Vleminckx were not returned by press time.
Members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts have been urging Cedar Fair officials to save the Big Dipper. They have asked Cedar Fair to move it to another park, preferably one in Ohio.
ACE's other suggestion is to leave the coaster where it stands and incorporate it into any future development, which could include an amusement park museum along with the old ballroom.
"If Cedar Fair isn't going to move it to another of their parks, there probably isn't much interest from others to pick it up and move it," said Sanderson.
"WE'RE STILL working to keep it on site and with our new redevelopment plan."
Colliers Ostendorf-Morris of Cleveland is conducting a private bidding process for about 500 acres at the site.
Cedar Fair's Bryan Edwards said the bid deadline has been extended to May 23. It originally was March 28.
Sanderson is the CFO of Herschman Architects in Cleveland. She said Herschman and ACE are working together to submit a proposal to purchase the property.
"We're working as a team with ACE to secure the Big Dipper and the ballroom," she said. "I'm positively optimistic. The people we have on board are very involved in the community and excited about this plan.
"We have one of the best teams, locally or nationally, and we're ready to do something."
Sanderson couldn't go into detail about the plans, but the architectural firm and ACE are working through what can and can't be done on the land.
After bids are accepted by Colliers, Sanderson said she expects Cedar Fair to act quickly.
"I'm sure they don't want an empty amusement park sitting across the lake from their water park," Sanderson said. "The sooner someone can break ground and start being successful, the better for everyone."
Sanderson added she hopes to have a better idea of what might happen in a month or two.
"We're working and there are still a lot of unanswered questions, but I remain excited," she said.
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