Former Six Flags executives buy Ocean Breeze Waterpark

VIRGINIA BEACH

Two former Six Flags amusement parks executives have purchased Ocean Breeze Waterpark, a landmark summer attraction near the Oceanfront, and plan multimillion-dollar improvements within the next several years.

The 19-acre site is fronted by Hugh Mongous, an enormous fake gorilla, and has 16 water slides, a million-gallon wave pool and Buccaneer Bay, a play area for children. The seasonal business employs about 350.

Kieran Burke, who purchased it with Gary Story, said the park will see improvements in the coming years. The new owners plan to develop state-of-the-art water rides, restaurants and guest amenities, he said.

"When we look at this park, others see that it's lacking or negative," Burke said. "But for us, that's opportunity."

Burke, co-owner of Ocean Breeze Holdings LLC, the new owner, wouldn't discuss the terms of the acquisition. The park was bought for about $7 million, according to city records, which identified OB Land LLC as the seller.

The park is assessed at about $6.3 million, city Real Estate Assessor Jerry Banagan said.

The new owners have lots of experience in the amusement park industry. Burke served as chairman and CEO and Story as president and chief operating officer at Six Flags for more than 10 years. In 2009, they bought Nashville Shores, a water park, marina and RV resort in Nashville, Tenn.

The next year, the men added a wave pool and a 1,000-foot-long lazy river. Burke said the company plans on making similar changes to Ocean Breeze.

There will be significant improvements this year and more in the next three to five years, he said.

Next month, Burke said, they expect to announce specific park projects.

He said they were impressed by Ocean Breeze's potential and location.

"We're very excited to be entering the Virginia Beach market," he said. "We think it's a great market in terms of the residential population and summer tourism."

Ocean Breeze officials don't disclose summer attendance figures. The facility is the only family water park in South Hampton Roads.

Pamela Lingle, communications manager at the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Ocean Breeze's expansion will help bring in more tourists.

"We think it's wonderful if someone can come in and do some product development," she said.

"Product development is an extremely important part of keeping people coming back year after year."

Jennifer Jiggetts, (757) 222-5150, jennifer.jiggetts@pilotonline.com