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| WRHS President & CEO Gainor B. Davis, 06/30/2010 News Conference |
"The proposal of The Carousel Society
made a lot of sense to the WRHS Board and Staff," said WRHS President & CEO Gainor B. Davis. "So many Northeast
Ohio residents, including those of us at WRHS, have wanted to see the Carrousel up and operating again. Various proposals
have been made over the years. This is the one we said 'yes' to because it is practical and ensures the Carrousel's
future."
| Corner of East Boulevard and East 108th Street |
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| Proposed Location for the Euclid Beach Park Carrousel |
The plan envisions The Carousel Society undertaking
a six-year fundraising campaign with $2 million targeted for Carrousel restoration and installation on the main floor of the
WRHS University Circle Complex at East Boulevard and East 108th Street. The remaining $4 million would provide an endowment
to support the Carrousel.
The project produces long-term benefits to
the neighborhood, city and region as well as WRHS: It creates another world-class destination point in University Circle;
contributes to local and area economic development efforts; and provides a family-friendly activity at WRHS.
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| Cleveland's Euclid Beach Park Carousel Society Co-Director Raymond Rackley |
Placing the Carrousel in WRHS is the best
choice, according to Carousel Society co-director Raymond Rackley. "With 2.5 million annual visitors to University Circle,
we believe the Carrousel will be self-sustaining while contributing to the future of WRHS and the surrounding cultrual institutions".
Another long-time proponent of re-establishing
the Carrousel, the group Euclid Beach Park Now, says it decided to support The Carousel Society plan because it lives up to
the original vision of the Humphrey family - owners of Cleveland's old Euclid Beach Park.
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| Euclid Beach Park Now President John Frator |
"It's all about providing for the future of the Carrousel while making it accessible to the public,"
said John Frato, president of Euclid Beach Park Now. "This plan offers financial and physical protection of the Carrousel,
protects its history and provenance, and makes it acessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The plan envisions Carousel rides for $1 to $2, annual low-cost memberships
allowing unlimited free use, and making the Carrouel handicap-accessible. Preliminary plans also include placing the Carrousel
in a new glassed-in area of WRHS so passers-by may see it and enjoy if from the street.
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| Cleveland's Euclid Beach Park Carousel Society Co-Director Terry Kovel |
"This project is exaclty in line with the WRHS mission of sharing
our Northeast Ohio past and drawing from it to build new memories, " Davis said. "this is just what WRHS wants and
needs righ now: a project that puts a smile on people's faces."
EUCLID BEACH PARK CARROUSEL PROJECT - AT A GLANCE
The Euclid Beach Park Carrousel project is a collaboration of Western Reserve
Historical Society and Cleveland's Euclid Beach Park Carousel Society with support from Euclid Beach Park Now.
Project Vision:
To functionally
restore the historic Euclid Beach Park Carrousel, place it within the Western Reserve Historical Society University Circle
Complex, and make it available for public use in a way that is self-sustaining and ensures its future financial and physical
integrity.
Projected Cost:
$6 million
$2 million for Carrousel Restoration and Placement
$4 million for Endowment to
support operations and maintenance
Projected Timeline: Six-year
project to complete all phases including fundraising for endowment
- Fundraising: 2010 to 2016
- WRHS
Building Design/Construction: 2011/2012
- Carrousel Assembly: 2011/2012
- Carrousel Installation: 2013
- Carrousel Operations Open to
Public: 2013
- Endowment Fundraising Complete: 2016
Carousel Operations:
Single
rides offered for $1 to $2
Annual Carousel Memberships for unlimited free rides
Private Party Rentals available
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