VALDOSTA —
Wild Adventures’ $4 million expansion of two new water slides and cabanas is more than an investment in the park’s Splash Island.
It is an investment in Valdosta-Lowndes County and all of South Georgia.
Anyone who thinks only Wild Adventures will profit from this expansion isn’t seeing the whole picture.
When Wild Adventures adds new rides and attractions, it prompts more people to visit the park. This means more people coming into our area, spending money not only at Wild Adventures but buying gas, eating at area restaurants, staying in regional hotels and motels, shopping in local shops.
Wild Adventures not only brings out-of-town and out-of-state dollars into the registers of other area businesses and establishments, it increases the amount of money coming into regional tax coffers. These tax dollars pay for any number of projects and services in our region.
In the past few years, parent company Herschend Family Entertainment has invested more than $10 million into Wild Adventures. The money funded the Wahee Cyclone water ride, the planting of trees and water jets to cool park guests, a renovation of the Cheetah roller coaster, the addition of three new rides, and now the new water slides and VIP cabanas to open in 2011.
In this dour economy, Valdosta-Lowndes County is blessed with such investments.
Two weeks ago, Valdosta State University began construction on a Psychology and Counseling Building, the first academic facility built in nine years. This building will likely attract more students to VSU. It is another investment that will not only benefit the organization making the initial commitment, but also holds the promise of further stoking one of Valdosta-Lowndes County’s chief economic engines.
These investments do not alleviate economic hardships in the region, but they may ease the burden. These projects demonstrate that South Georgia is a place worth the investment, a place that can attract people and will benefit from dollars from other regions.
What We Think
What we think: Investing in Valdosta
- What We Think
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School’s out so watch out!
Summer is a time of rest, vacations and trips. It is a time when school is out, when people take time off from work, when people may stay out a little later. It is a time of swimming, trying new things, and seeking adventure.
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Qualifiers are next leaders
While the national media focuses attention on the presidential election, it should be remembered that we will also choose our local leaders this year.
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Thumbs up
THUMBS UP: To the 2011-12 arts season. Theatre Guild Valdosta’s rollicking comedy, “Caught in the Net,” officially brings to a close a magnificent schedule of shows ranging from theatre to opera to concerts to art exhibits and more from a variety of area venues. Theatre Guild will also open the 2012-13 season this summer with the musical “Into the Woods.” Until then, arts lovers can soon enjoy a new series of exhibits from the year-round Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts and three musicals starting in two weeks from Peach State Summer Theatre.
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Events that get things done
Finding something that repeatedly attracts the public is difficult enough, but finding an event that accomplishes that feat while also promoting your organization and helping others … well, in many places, that’s a rarity.
Not so for the Valdosta area. -
Furloughs: They beat the alternative
As summer break nears, many area education boards have spent the final school days preparing faculty and staff for furloughs for the 2012-13 calendar.
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Getting a jump on hurricane season
Come June 1, the 2012 hurricane season begins and lasts through Nov. 30.
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A few thoughts for new graduates
Graduation ceremonies reflect how life marches on. For the students receiving their diplomas and degrees, graduation is a culmination of the majority of their lives’ work.
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Video helps veterans
During Thursday night’s Military Officers Association of America meeting, the local chapter shared a video presentation regarding the Community Blueprint program, which is also known as Valdosta Veterans First.
For those unfamiliar with Community Blueprint, Valdosta is one of three cities across the nation selected as a pilot city for the program. -
Happy Mother's Day!
Mother. Mama. Mommy. Ma. Mom. She fed us when we were too small to feed ourselves. She nurtured us, clothed us, cleaned us, protected us.
She helped us form our first words. -
Thumbs Up. thumbs down
THUMBS UP: To Dr. Brian Hickox. Valdosta’s newest chiropractor overcame great odds to open his practice last week. Born with partial vision, an assault robbed him of the remainder of his sight. Despite these odds, he followed his dream to become a chiropractor. School took him twice as long, at seven years rather than the usual three and a half to complete, but he reached his goal. The story of Brian Hickox should be an inspiration to us all. It proves that we may lack sight, we may have to overcome difficulties and disabilities, but that doesn’t mean we have to lack vision.
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School’s out so watch out!
