La Ronde, a prominent amusement park in Montreal, has been sold to new owners, marking a significant transaction in the theme park industry. The deal is valued at $331 million USD (approximately $452 million CAD) and includes a total of seven amusement parks across Canada and the United States.
Details of the Transaction
The buyer is EPR Properties, a real estate investment trust publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange. EPR specializes in owning experiential assets and has a substantial portfolio valued at $5.7 billion across 43 U.S. states and Canada.
Key Highlights
- Transaction Value: $331 million USD
- Number of Parks Involved: Seven
- Buyer: EPR Properties
- CEO of EPR: Gregory K. Silvers
This acquisition represents EPR’s largest transaction since 2017. According to CEO Gregory K. Silvers, the properties acquired exhibit essential characteristics such as stable, long-term cash flow, convenient access by car, multi-generational appeal, and significant underlying land value.
Future Operations of La Ronde
Following the sale, La Ronde will be operated by La Ronde Opérations, a newly formed company. This company will be led by Kieran Burke, a former executive of Six Flags. Burke already manages EPR’s Village Vacances Valcartier in Quebec and the Calypso Waterpark in Limoges, Ontario.
Related Transactions
In a related development, EPR Properties acquired the assets of the Calypso-Valcartier group in 2022 for $179 million. This included the Calypso Waterpark and Parc Valcartier, which featured several attractions including the Bora Parc, Hotel Valcartier, camping facilities, and the Hotel de Glace.
Historical Context of La Ronde
La Ronde first opened its doors on Saint Helen’s Island during the 1967 World Expo. The park was sold to Six Flags by the City of Montreal in 2001. Further details about the new ownership and operational plans for La Ronde will be provided in the coming months.
