$34M Sustainable Playland Project Withdrawn

WHITE PLAINS, NY—The drawn out and contentious effort to redevelop Rye Playland took a major dramatic turn as Westchester County has abandoned a $34-million plan proposed by Sustainable Playland Inc. to redevelop the money-losing 280-acre amusement park.

County Executive Robert Astorino announced on Wednesday the county has hired American Skating Entertainment Centers, the largest independent owner/operator of ice rinks in the United States, to operate the Ice Casino at Playland for a 10-year period. In addition, Dan Biederman, who had served as a consultant with Sustainable Playland, has been hired by Westchester County to undertake a review of the amusement park, which will include examinations of operations, factors contributing to profits and losses, and opportunities for sponsorships.