A popular entertainment destination in the Maritimes will be closing this fall.
Cadillac Fairview has announced they will be closing Crystal Palace Amusement Park on September 1.
The indoor family park, located in Dieppe, N.B. features rides, games, and activities such as miniature golf.
According to the company the closure is to make room for a new store, Bass Pro Shops, an outdoor retailer specializing in hunting, fishing, and camping gear
The Bass Pro Shops’ website states the Moncton location will be 110,000 square-feet, and the company’s fourth store to open in Canada.
Cadillac Fairview also announced the Ramada Hotel, the convention centre, and the McGinnis Landing restaurant will be closing at the end of October.
The general manager of Champlain Place and Crystal Palace, Brian MacMullin, says Bass Pro Shops will take over the space in 2015, hiring roughly 220 workers. However, the decision to slash 150 part and full time jobs in the park, hotel, and restaurant was not an easy one.
“It was a very difficult decision to make and we didn’t take this lightly,” says MacMullin. “We have taken a lot of steps to ensure that our employees are well taken care of.”
The indoor amusement park has been open for almost a quarter of a century and many Maritimers have fond memories of their time at the park and are sad to see it go.
However, the rides may be relocated nearby.
The company say it's working with Maritime Fun, owners of Magic Mountain, to ensure the rides remain part of the community.
“I’m very, very shocked and disappointed,” says park user Cassie Martin. “It’s a really, really great place for a lot of kids.”
“We used to have a lot of memories and stuff there,” says park user Jordan Mitchell. “It is really sad that some other kids don’t get to enjoy the same things as we used to.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell.
