| Media: $43,100 Gifted to Keep Coasters Rolling |
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Preservation Grant Established to Support Small or Family-Owned Parks American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world’s largest club of amusement ride enthusiasts, follows its mission of preservation with its newly formalized preservation grant to help ensure that small and family-owned parks keep their roller coasters rolling. Auctions of items donated from host parks and donations from our members enable ACE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to offer this financial support. This year alone, ACE will have donated $43,100 to four different parks:
“The impact of our donations allowed for newly machined ride parts not readily available for steel coasters and new wood on wooden coasters so parks can continue attracting patrons with these star attractions,” stated Josh Brown, ACE’s history and preservation director.
In the last 20 years, ACE has gifted more than $400,000 to parks. Among those receiving assistance were Conneaut Lake Park, Linnanmäki, Lakemont Park, Clementon Park, Arnolds Park, Enchanted Forest and Camden Park, By formalizing the process to receive funding, ACE hopes that more parks will communicate their needs before deciding to close their roller coasters or their parks. If ACE can begin assisting when there is only a concern, the club can have a much greater impact on ensuring that the coaster and the surrounding park remain. Amusement parks offer support to the local economy and places for area residents to continue to enjoy the fun and memories that parks bring to our lives. ACE President Elizabeth Ringas shared, “I am thankful that ACE has the opportunity to be an integral part of the support system that ensures traditional parks like these continue to operate. Amusement parks are one of the special places where families enjoy shared experiences and build special memories. When ACE members are even just a small contributor to ensuring that the opportunity exists for these parks to continue operating their roller coaster, our purpose as an organization has been fulfilled.”
About ACE: Founded in 1978, American Coaster Enthusiasts is a nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion, appreciation and safe enjoyment of roller coasters. With more than 7,000 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE receive exclusive park benefits, newsletters, magazines and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. ACE hosts more than 75 national and regional coaster events all across North America every year and has been prominently featured on various news programs and many cable networks such as the Travel Channel. Downloads:
Big DipperCamden ParkHuntington, West Virginia Jack Boylin (left), Owner and Manager Chris Tilsley (right), ACE Treasurer Download 
Big DipperCamden ParkHuntington, West Virginia Jack Boylin (left), Owner and Manager Chris Tilsley (right), ACE Treasurer Download 
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