City Council Approves Carousel, Community Lines Up for Rides

st. george carousel
St. George News Editor-in-Chief takes her children on the new carousel in St. George. | Photo by Jen Watkins, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The City of St. George Carousel is in full swing this summer and riders young and old could not be more pleased.

st. george carousel
Photo by Dallas Hyland, St. George News

The carousel had its grand opening July 4 to an eager public who were anticipating the day ever since the ride arrived a few weeks ago.  City employees worked steady to ensure not only a timely grand opening but a safe one as well.

Funds generated from the city’s re-development funds (RDA) were unanimously voted to be used by St. George City Council on June 30.  The proposal indicated a payback of the $275,000 price for the venture to be less than 10 years.

The Council also unanimously decided on a very economically friendly pricing structure keeping in mind that this is a grand addition to the other features on Main Street, such as the splash pad and water park.  Children under 42 inches ride free.  Children over 42 inches and over 14 years old are 50 cents with a two-ticket minimum.  Riders older than 14 years will pay a dollar.  Group rates are also available.

The carousel originally carried its riders in Chicago until 2006 when it was sold to a private owner in Buena Vista California.  St. George purchased the ride from that owner even as the city of Seattle was bidding for it. The carousel was brought to St. George and set up prior to the unanimous decision at the City Council meeting on June 30.

Elisha Jones is a part time city employee who works at the carousel and said, “The ride holds around 30 people so the lines are not to long, even though the flow of people is consistent.”

This is what was anticipated by Council members who expressed jubilance over the ride and the enjoyment it will bring to the people and families of the city.  The ride is expected to generate enough revenue to pay for itself and eventually provide some return, as well, despite the below market average of ticket prices which council members were insistent on.

Summer hours are Monday-Thursday 11a.m. to 8p.m. and Friday-Saturday 11a.m. to 9p.m.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2011, all rights reserved.

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