After already suffering millions of dollars in lost revenue, insurance adjusters have pegged the damages at Centreville Amusement Park and the adjacent Far Enough Farm at $6 million.
Record spring rainfall left parts of Toronto Island Park ravaged, which led to uncertainty about when or if it could reopen for its busiest season.
READ MORE: Toronto Islands set to reopen on July 31 after severe spring flooding
“It was nothing we could have anticipated or expected.”
Rain and thunderstorms put a damper on the first week back in business. The park lost roughly half of its staff due to the delayed opening. They used the first week of poor weather and lower visitor turnout to train workers.
Company officials said the park saw an $8-million revenue loss. An antique carousel was recently sold for $3 million to help offset losses. The 110-year-old ride will be sent to its new home in Carmel, Indiana once the season is done.
READ MORE: Toronto Island’s 110-year-old Centreville carousel to be removed after final season
Walker told Global News members of the public came forward, offering to launch crowdfunding initiatives to keep the ride at the park and to help rebuild the property that has been damaged on the farm.
“It’s a family-owned business. It’s our 50th anniversary this year, so it really did mean a lot,” said Walker.
“It really proved that Centreville is a beloved tradition in Toronto.”
The farm was the worst-hit portion of the park. Horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, peacocks and emu are among the animals that call it home.
When the flooding began, the animals were removed from the island and taken to a farm owned by the Beasley family, the family that operates Centreville. The ponies were brought back once the season began.
The park will be open in September, but only on weekends. It officially closes for the season on Oct. 1.
Comments