Hanse Society to Own Theme Park

After leasing and operating Upper Clements Park for the past 10 years, the Hanse Society will soon be the park's new owner.

The society will purchase the Annapolis County park for $1 and undertake capital improvements to help ensure continued safety and quality. The provincial government will provide about $1 million for the improvements and $310,000 in transitional operating funding.

"The Hanse Society has done an excellent job operating Upper Clements Park and expressed an interest in ownership," said Len Goucher, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "They're a passionate group of community-minded Nova Scotians and we're pleased that they've accepted our offer to own and operate the park."

The park has been open since 1989. The not-for-profit society has run it on a 10-year lease with $310,000 in annual operating funding from government.

"We've had a very good relationship with the provincial government over the years and we're happy to accept this offer to own Upper Clements Park," said David Brown, chair of the Hanse Society's board of directors. "This is a great opportunity for us to ensure the long-term future of the park and contribute to employment in our community."

The provincial government will maintain ownership of the adjacent Upper Clements Wildlife Park. The society will continue to operate it through its existing lease agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.