Hey Cedar Fair: Is your America Great?

As we have been rearing our young toddler through his first year of life and nurturing our first born through his first months of Kindergarten, my household also has been gearing up to dedicate substantial energy to the success of Santa Clara's Mission City News. We'll be back in print before the end of 2007 and over the coming weeks this blog will launch dialogue about hot local issues.

Lots of Santa Clarans are following the "Great" 49ers debate closely. And, nearly all of us are proud that "America" guarantees a freedom of speech and debate.

But amid the "Great" benefits we all find in "America," I really have to question the motives of Great America's owners Cedar Fair.

First they're for a Santa Clara stadium, then they are neutral on the stadium, then they are opposed, then neutral again, and most recently opposed. Cedar Fair has more flip-flops than a discount retailer on Waikiki.

I find the Cedar Fair position almost completely without merit and here is the basis for my opinion: businesses watch their bottom line and a new stadium next door only can help sagging attendance at Cedar Fair's Great America.

Today, in late November, we are nearing the high point of the pro football season. Is Great America open this month? Uh, no. Was Great America open last month (October)? No. Will Great America be open next month (December) or the following month (January)? Uh, no and no.

So, even if the 49ers were enjoying a successful win-loss record and heading for the playoffs, would the football team's success negatively impact Cedar Fair? Not possible. Great America hasn't been open during most of a football season for decades.

So, let's look at the possible impact of a few Sunday football games on Cedar Fair's Great America (CFGA). What are the big attendance dates at CFGA? Spring Break/Easter weekend; Memorial Day weekend; the July 4th holidays; the mid-summer vacation days.

Um, now last time I checked.... the NFL doesn't start exhibition season till August. So, the big dates for Cedar Fair absolutely cannot conflict with a football game.

Where could there be a few "conflicts"? Late September and early October come to mind, but if you've ever visited Great America on the weekends after school starts, especially on Sundays, you clearly note that attendance is wayyyyyy down during that time of year. So, if the 49ers bring in 60,000 fans for a ballgame and even 2 percent take the opportunity to visit Great America, that's an extra 1,200 park visitors who otherwise would not have visited.

Great America: Please live up to your name and show us something "Great" about why a Santa Clara stadium next door would hurt your bottom line. For now, be aware that we plan to exercise America's free speech opportunities to point out your inconsistencies and to encourage a fact-filled dialogue about what Cedar Fair's really seeking.

comments on this post are welcome...
Chris Stampolis
Publisher, Santa Clara's Mission City News