The Sights & Sounds of Progress
The Sights & Sounds of Progress
Construction begins at Gatorland on the 19,000 square foot Complex
Orlando, Florida: (October 24, 2007): As the sun rose on October 15, 2007 construction began on the gift shop and admissions complex located at the site of the devastating fire that took place at Gatorland on November 6, 2006, destroying the original gift shop and theme park entrance.
Overseen by D & D Construction, the first stage of the $4 million dollar project will focus on removing a section of the original concrete slab to allow for rough plumbing to be installed. Next the crew of up to 35 skilled laborers and heavy equipment operators will work to complete the foundation and conclude the block work on the 4,000 sq. ft. retail area.
As construction began on Monday, it quickly became apparent to Dan Baumer, Superintendent for D&D Construction, that this project would be like no other he had worked on before. As his team of concrete saw operators began cutting through the aging concrete an eerie sound began to rumble behind the men as dozens of alligators had mistaken the vibration as an invitation to bellow and splash around. “That was definitely a first for me and the guys,” said Baumer. “What a unique way to keep everyone motivated.”
“We are trying to stick to a very tight timeline,” states Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland. “Our goal is to have the new Complex opened by next summer when we begin celebrating the 60th Anniversary for the “Alligator Capital of the World”.
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Founded in 1985, D&D Construction is a full-service general contracting firm specializing in theme parks and the hotel industry. The company, whose motto is “Building Together, Building Better,” provides a range of services including pre-construction, construction management, general contracting, or development needs. The company handles all aspects of property construction from project costing, planning, design-build, construction management, and property development. D&D Construction’s work can be found throughout Central Florida, as well as in the Florida Keys and Alabama.
Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park and wildlife preserve, combining “Old Florida” charm with exciting, new exhibits and entertainment. The park opened as a roadside attraction in 1949. Today, it provides affordable-priced family fun with thousands of alligators, crocodiles, aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, educational wildlife programs, a gift shop, Florida’s best train-ride, restaurant, Gator Gully Splash Park and one-of-a-kind reptilian shows including the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show. To find out more about “Orlando’s only Theme Park with Bite and Attitude,” visit us online at: www.gatorland.com or call 1-800-393-JAWS.
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