SFEG Abruptly Cancels Entertainment, Lets Some Employees Go

[GADVwow]

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4128988

Article Launched: 08/03/2006 01:00:00 AM MDT

denver & the west
Workers lose jobs, events canceled
By Mike McPhee
Denver Post Staff Writer

Six Flags Elitch Gardens amusement park abruptly canceled its parades, drum line and theater shows Tuesday, terminating a number of its entertainment-department employees.

A spokeswoman declined to provide any specifics. "We're regularly evaluating our operations, including staffing, and regularly adjusting our shifts and staffing needs," said Brooke Brasher, adding that all employees were given a chance to take other positions.

She declined to say how many employees were affected and whether staffing levels at the park remained the same or declined after Tuesday.

Elitch's parent company, Six Flags, has been losing money since 1998 and has been attempting to sell some of its 30 entertainment parks across the country, including possibly Elitch's.

The park recently reduced its hours, closing at 9 p.m. instead of 10.

Elitch Gardens employs 2,400 seasonal workers, Brasher said, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Earlier this year, Six Flags began a marketing program to attract families rather than teenagers. Part of the plan added family entertainment, such as costumed characters roaming the park talking to children.

This year, Elitch Gardens held two parades a day, with mostly high-school band students from Broomfield, Northglenn and Longmont, as well as a few college students.

All of the entertainment events were canceled Tuesday.

Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-820-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.

[PcMan]

signs of things to come

[GADVwow]

And, oddly, just yesterday Mark Shapiro said it was business as usual at the six parks slated for possible closure, and that he was particularly pleased with how well Denver was managed and the great things going on there.  And then....

[GAcoaster]

signs of things to come

I doubt it...SFEG is such a small park, it's barely a blip on the radar for the company.   It's a park that's being sold.   They have nothing to gain by spending the money on street performers for a park that won't see another season as a Six Flags.   Denver is so isolated from the other SF parks, it won't do much to tarnish the brand by doing this.   

Also, from Shapiro's comments it seems like a sale may be imminent.

[WadeJ]

Well, one must wonder if these changes might be coming to Gadv soon as well

[GAcoaster]

  No need to wonder now, I just got word...

Fireworks have been cut
Welcome to the 60's has been cut
Runaway Country has been cut
Night Parades are gone
Down to 6 characters a day in the park (from the original 25)
 

[WadeJ]

LOL  well, I was trying not to be the delivery guy so thanks

Yes, that was exactly what I was getting at

Sorry guys, I don't think they are even done yet.

[GAcoaster]

  Don't tell me, the dolphins ARE going to the tuna cannery! 

[ChuckR]

I really don't know now if I trust Shapiro anymore. Basically everything he was saying in the beginning of the season, he is now getting rid of. Those fireworks were amazing and the street performers made the atmosphere awesome.

[GAcoaster]

Add to my previous post Party Patrol gone, half the Justice League characters gone...

[OrlandoRocks]

I had a feeling that all the entertainment and characters was not going to last all season.
I also think that they aren?t to bother to attempt to fix the chiller this year either. I just hope I am wrong on this one.

[Ogolo]

Looks like they are cutting days and hours dwn now too.
Also gone is the Fall Family Fun night previously scheduled for Sept 22. (http://cdi-mail.net/SFGA/blasts/SFGA_2006-04.2/)
I really enjoyed that last year.