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BLOOMINGTON, MN-One of the first big moves by the new managing partners of the Mall of America was disclosed Thursday when Cedar Fair, the Sandusky, OH-based amusement park operator that has managed the mall's Camp Snoopy amusement park, revealed they were told their management contract is up at the end of March. Triple Five, the Edmonton-based developer controlled by the Ghermezian family and the founding partner in the mall, took over managing partner role of the ownership group that owns the megamall when it bought a controlling stake in the property last summer.

Triple Five was able to buy the stake and wrest control of the megamall away from Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group as the result of a lawsuit, which is under appeal. "The idea is to make the park more exciting, such as adding new rides, and do it more quickly by having a direct line to the partnership," says Maureen Bausch, an official with the Mall of America. What's more, she says, Triple Five, which owns and manages the West Edmonton Mall, has experience in running amusement parks.

"We are disappointed by this development, especially after this past year's outstanding operating results, but the loss of the Camp Snoopy management contract would not have a material financial effect on the partnership," says Dick Kinzel, chairman and chief executive officer of Cedar Fair. Cedar Fair has managed Camp Snoopy for seven years, or shortly after it bought Knott's Berry Farms, which had previously run it. None of Camp Snoopy's 840 employees will be affected by the management change, according to officials at the megamall.