I read today just how extensive this summer's Nashville flood damage was, particularly around Opryland Hotel, etc. It was saddening and unfortunate. We lost more of the few remaining pieces of Opryland USA themepark as well as many jobs provided by the questionably liked mall.
Being a theme park enthusiast, Opryland fan, and park archivist, it was sad to see that the Gaslight Theatre was so badly damaged it had to be demolished. It was also tough to hear that the remaining Opryland plaza buildings were either heavily damaged or destroyed in the flood. Granted, some of the other buildings that have been shuffled around are still in good shape and there's still some retaining wall and railroad bed left from the park, maybe even some of the Grizzly River Rampage course, but it's still a blow.
While Opry Mills Mall was not an acceptable replacement for the theme park, my heart goes out to it's former workers. They, unfortunately, were thrown into a tail-spinning economy with the rest of us out of work and seeking. That's a fate I wouldn't wish on anyone.
Now, where does this leave us? The park is gone and missed. The mall is likely gone between flood damage and insurance difficulties. Whether the mall is missed varies depending on who you ask. Ever since Opry Mills took shape, many have said "Can we have the park back instead?" It was even dubbed "Shopryland". End result is a flood-prone plot of land with limited growth and limited capacity to recapture the magic of it's original park. (You better believe it pains me to say that.)
There are a couple things I see here. In a round about way, many of us did get our wish for the possibility of a another park. (To be clear, the rumors are still flying, other projects are in various states, and nothing has been said or put forth officially, post flood.) I say another because replacing the unique feel and vibe of Opryland is impossible. IF there were serious consideration of another park to be re-attached in name or otherwise to the Opryland Hotel, it would be a good idea NOT to rebuild on site. Why? The original park flooded, the mall flooded, the hotel flooded, and all on property will flood again. Remember, the Cumberland River crested 40-51 feet in places due to heavy rains.
The other thing I see here is what if Opryland USA, in it's struggling state, had not been taken down in 1997? How long would it have survived? Would the present brutal economy have closed the park if something else hadn't gotten to it first? Would the summer 2010 flood have done the park in? My gut says either of these is a likely demise for Opryland USA if the mall had not come into being. Need proof? Look at so many other smaller parks that have closed in recent years due to economy. Also, when the bigger parks and chains are tightening their belts and drastically changing things, that's not a good sign for the the smaller parks. In this alternate scenario, I would not have wanted Opryland USA to close, but it's very likely the park would've.
We've all lost a lot since 1997. Whether it's the original park, it's few remains, the jobs provided by Opry Mills, it's a hole in the heart. More than anything, I'd like to see that hole filled in again, especially for Nashville's sake. That city was good to me in my college years and I have fond memories of Opryland, both park and hotel. It's safe to say I speak for many in wanting another park to play in. Hopefully the current economic woes can be outlasted and lessons from the past learned, yet not repeated. Despite these dark and uncertain times, there is still hope.
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