Charlotte, NC

Well, let’s face it … there isn’t much hope that a theme park, whether it’s a Hard Rock park or something else, will open in 2009 in Fantasy Harbor.

The Hard Rock Park, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection three months ago, is still looking for a buyer — with no luck.

An auction earlier this month with a minimum bid of $35 million failed to attract a winning buyer, according to court documents saying the park is still actively trying to find a buyer.

Public officials say the park would need millions in upgrades, including new rides, and marketing, and wouldn’t reopen until 2010. Months ago, a Hard Rock Park spokesman said the park couldn’t open in 2009 without a new owner.

If nobody buys the park, it’ll probably go into liquidation (the infamous “Chapter 7″ bankruptcy), or the judge could dismiss the case and those whom the park owed could foreclose on –or repossess — the property.
There’s already talk of turning into a residential/commercial district, a shopping strip-mall or property for condos and/or other housing.

Mark Lazarus, who owns Wild Water and Wheels in Surfside Beach, said he wants to see the park work, because it will draw more attention to all of Myrtle Beach’s entertainment venues. But he says it’ll take someone with some pretty deep pockets.

“To me, it never had the real right mix of rides in it, and it’s going to need some tweaking, and that takes money,” he said. “I certainly hope that somebody can come in and resurrect it and make a go at it, I do. I think it would be great for our whole economy.”

Hey … parks come and go, and it’s a cryin’ shame that this one did; but, remember, rock-n-roll (be it hard, soft, pop, Brit, alt or any other) will never die!

ABOUT MESOTHELIOMA

A few years ago, a national push began to remove all asbestos from schools, offices, homes and the like.  There’s a good reason for it; constant contact with the stuff can cause a terrible cancer called mesothelioma. It destroys the mesothelium, the serous membranes that surround many of the body’s vital organs — membranes that secrete a lubricant that provides easy movement of the internal organs.

If you or a loved one has this cancer, the link I’m about to give you will be of a tremendous help to you.  Even if you or yours don’t have mesothelioma, this is your chance to become well-informed about it!  I’ve seen a few of these cases personally (in my visits to Kentucky for the wrestling show), and I’m sure that, if you asked the hospitals, you’ll find it’s not uncommon here!

The site will give you so much information about the disease, along with pertinent news updates, recommended reading, clinical trials of different meds used to treat it, and much, much more.  You’ll even find treatment options and a state-by-state doctor search!

So, if you or a loved one has this cancer, or you just want to learn more about mesothelioma, just click that link, okay? You’ll be glad you did …