Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has announced that it will close Six Flags America and the Hurricane Harbor water park, both located in Bowie, Maryland.
The parks will close after the 2025 operating season. The property, which covers around 500 acres, will be marketed for redevelopment and is closing as part of Six Flags’ ongoing review of its portfolio.
Six Flags has engaged CBRE, commercial real estate services and investment firm, to market the parks for sale.
“As part of our comprehensive review of our park portfolio, we have determined that Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor are not a strategic fit with the company’s long-term growth plan,” said Six Flags president and CEO Richard Zimmerman.
“After reviewing a number of options, we believe that marketing the property for redevelopment will generate the highest value and return on investment.
“We anticipate strong interest in the property and will continue to strategically pursue portfolio optimization opportunities as we work to unlock the full value of our portfolio.”
Parks to be marketed for redevelopment
Six Flags America employs around 70 full-time workers. Six Flags said severance and other benefits will be provided to all eligible employees.
The decision to close the theme parks was “difficult”, Zimmerman said, adding that the company is aware of the impact it will have on both staff and guests.
“We are grateful to our park associates who work hard to create lifelong memories for our guests, and Six Flags is committed to supporting all impacted associates through the closure process at the end of this year,” he said.
The final operating day for Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor will be 2 November.
Following last year’s merger with Cedar Fair, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is North America’s largest amusement park operator.
It has 27 theme parks, 15 water parks and nine resort properties across 17 states in the US, Canada and Mexico.
The new Six Flags plans to invest more than $1 billion over the next two years.
Images courtesy of Six Flags
