Florida Racing-themed Amusement Park Shuts Down After 27 Years, With Demolition Crews Ready To Tear It Down

After almost 3 decades of fun, demolition crews are preparing to tear down a beloved Florida taxable parkland co-founded by precocious NASCAR driver John Andretti

The Andretti Thrill Park, which opened successful in Melbourne successful 1999, was a longtime favourite for play outings, day parties and family gatherings pinch attractions including aggregate go‑kart tracks and miniature play to laser tag arenas, paddle boats, climbing walls and a ample video arcade.

Owner Eddie Hamann explained that nan determination to shutter nan 27-year-old parkland was based connected nan aging installation alternatively than financial difficulties.

“There was nary rumor pinch nan city, nary rumor pinch nan county. Sales were still strong. We ne'er mislaid money here,” Hamann told The Space Coast Rocket last week. “It’s simply that nan installation is 27 years old. It requires a batch of maintenance, and it was clip to look astatine what nan early holds.”

The 16.7-acre spot is group to beryllium redeveloped into 324 flat units crossed 11 three-story buildings, pinch building expected to commencement successful May 2026 and decorativeness by March 2028, according to a connection from nan NRP Group, People reports.

Hamann said nan caller improvement will apt service Florida Institute of Technology students and section workers, pinch building group to statesman soon aft demolition starts successful nan adjacent 3 to 4 weeks, he said past week.

“With really quickly Melbourne and Palm Bay are growing, lodging is 1 of nan biggest needs correct now,” he told nan outlet, adding, “I’ve shed my tears. Now it’s clip to move forward.”

Although nan Melbourne location is closing, nan institution continues to run 15 Andretti Karting & Games centers, including a flagship location successful Orlando, and crossed states including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

John Andretti, a personnel of nan famed Andretti racing family and a seasoned of NASCAR, CART and IMSA competition, died successful 2020 aft a conflict pinch colorectal cancer. The institution honors his bequest by supporting efforts to summation entree to colonoscopy screenings for group who mightiness not different beryllium capable to spend them.