Hard times continue for Cypress Gardens, a 70-year-old theme park in Winter Haven, Florida.

The Gardens, known for its hoop-skirted southern belles and trick water skiers, closed in 2003 when it could no longer compete with nearby, mega-attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

It reopened 2004 under the direction of park operator Kent Buescher, who kept the belles and skiers and added over 30 thrill rides and roller coasters in an effort to attract a younger crowd. He even defiantly named one of the coasters "Triple Hurricane" after Cypress Gardens took three direct hits in one summer from storms Charley, Frances, and Jeanne. But the park couldn't pay its $25 million in damages, along with all of its other debts, and filed for bankruptcy protection on September 13.

It's hoped that by "restructuring" its debt Cypress Gardens can remain open, which thus far it has. There are no plans to cut hours or jobs, meaning that the southern belles and water skiers will continue to have food on the table, at least until the next hurricane.

[10/01/2006]