PGAV Destinations, a global leader in the planning and design of unique destinations, is honouring the legacy of its vice president Bill Castle, who passed away on 16 October 2022.
Castle made important contributions to PGAV Destinations, transforming the company into a global leader in destination planning and design. His legacy lasted five decades and had a wide impact on the themed entertainment sector.
Castle began working for PGAV Destinations on 20 July 1968, making him the company’s longest-serving employee. Many of PGAV Destinations’ most notable projects have benefited from his creativity and vision, including Busch Gardens, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Georgia Aquarium, and the National Air and Space Museum.
A lasting legacy
An innovator in all aspects of design, Castle was passionate about developing immersive experiences that included rides, entertainment, dining, shopping, and displays. He also mentored, coached, and trained many of PGAV’s current leaders, encouraging them to think about how an attraction merges with and influences the space around it.
The executive was skilled at sketching master plans and designing immersive rooms for guests that also offered spectacular views, often spending late nights drafting park master plans across a table covered with paper. He was also an accomplished model builder, creating rock work and animal shows out of modelling clay and plaster. His techniques are still used by PGAV, meaning his influence will live on in the firm’s designs.
“A force of nature”
Castle was also skilled in the design and creation of innovative roller coaster manoeuvers, assisting in the design of numerous new and exhilarating coaster designs, and has left a lasting impression on his former colleagues and industry members.
“PGAV is saddened by the passing of our friend Bill, a long-time designer and creator of incredible destinations worldwide,” says PGAV Destinations CEO Mike Konzen.
“Bill’s creative vision was often described as a ‘force of nature.’ He was an artist, inventor, and designer with a unique ability to fashion experiences with stories based in history, science, and the natural world.
“His remarkable career spans from the early days of the American theme park industry to some of the most state-of-the-art rides and attractions that have opened in recent years.”
Long-time colleague and fellow PGAV VP Jeff Havlik adds: “Because of confidentiality, many of Bill’s contributions to the industry are only known by a small number of people. But his influence is felt by millions of guests that are immersed in environments he moulded, ridden the rides he conceived, engaged with animals in habitats he designed, and learned by visiting exhibits he created.”
Castle is survived by his wife of 44 years, Emily, as well as his four children and nine grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held this month.
PGAV recently attended IAAPA Expo where Havlik participated in an EDUsession named Ride Design for the Non-Rider: How to Engage Every Guest.
