I would think a taxpayer whether full time or not, should be allowed to speak?

Probably having it just before Christmas because they think everyone will be too busy to show up. How about a contingent of Winnipesaukee.com members showing up with a Laconia resident as spokesperson? As I have always said Nothing happens if nothing is done.

They have been taking down the water slide for a couple days now. They should leave some scraps and debris so it matches the rest of the corner.

The Weirs is depressing. I just won't drive over there anymore.

There are alot of eyesores at the Weirs. Whatever they put in the place of the waterslide should be geared to get families to the beach. The iconic Weirs sign, the train , the Mount, Sophie, Doris, the Drive In are the "draws". We need something to keep kids entertained , not too costly for parents and something that wil be remembered fondly and will make you want to keep coming back. I think an out door amusement park with fun rides would be great.no need for a waterpark we have the beach. No need for more alcohol that is just a set up for litter in our streets and quite possibly bad behavior and accidents.

As other people have said, Bike week may drive this. According to the web, that property is valued around $600K and the tax rate is around $20, so say $12K a year. I bet a beer tent, some stalls and parking will raise enough to pay that and a handy profit in just 10 days.

Why risk investing money and running a real business, when you can make a profit in 10 days, with no risk.

Bike week has it's upside but it does become a crutch for the property owners around ground zero.

I could not agree more.

The city of laconia needs to stop promoting from with in and can everyone and start over, it really is pathetic.

The city can change the incentives and try to drive business behavior in a direction better for the area. They could make all the bike week permits contingent on year round business plans.

Say to a property owner, you can't have a that 10 day beer tent unless you make some improvement to the property. Obviously this becomes a political issue about how much is too much and unintended consequences but that's what governing is about.

Forgive me if anyone interprets this as an insult! Lake George, N.Y. seems to be furnishing nicely. Would it be possible to consult their planning or development committees and get some advice. Yes, I know they are the direct competition but the area is successful and inviting. Why not even try to incorporate some sort of a vacation package between the two areas? Only a thought. I'm not saying copy them and create a second Lake George, but the events page on their website is pretty busy. Any help could be good for the area.

I believe we are only a few years out from the Weirs finding the bottom of the hole, but it won't be a pretty ride to the bottom.

The reason I say that is, Bike Week continues to move further away from Laconia every year; Hill climbs, chapter rides, large crowd gathering events. They are all happening North and West of the Lakes Region. Those are some of the events listed on the Official Bike Week events page.

One thing that most people don't understand is exactly how profitable that empty lot is for Bike Week. I am certain the current owners will not chime in on this, but here is an example.

When the original owners of the Lobster Pound sold to the current owners, they sold the assets, the name and the land, but they did not sell the rights to that parking lot during Bike Week. The reason, that 10 day period generated an income for the owners approaching 7 figures, in that large lot with a very small building (in case anyone ever wondered why Lou and Harvey never fixed up the old LP). The current owners of the LP realized quite quickly that they misunderstood the "real" value of that property and bought out the rights to Bike Week for the following year. It took them a few years to figure out that they needed to supply their vendors with constant water and other necessary items, but they have the routine down now. The only difference is the building eats up more income than it likely replaces, but they were smart to build the LP into what it is today. They will be in the position to capitalize when a turn around of that area comes.

Why this story matters.

Bike Week continues to move away from the run down Weirs, so does that vendor income for the lot renters. Income continues to drop, so the price of rental space goes up to compensate. The State loves this as it spreads the tourist spending into other areas of our beautiful state and it does not put all the focus on the "Bike Week" atmosphere.

If looking at the Weirs as a business, it is only a matter of years before it will fold. The owners (read: Laconia and the lot owners) are in money grab mode, this is going to result in a developers dream, as they buy up one foreclosed property after another.

The players are just waiting for the other shoe to drop, that is how Meredith became what it is today.

Yeah the city could do a lot. Will they? No. Civic pride in Laconia is dead. They have have a huge asset there slowly sinking into oblivion. The days of the Weirs are numbered. I heard so many complaints from bikers last year it wasn't funny. Every year it is the same complaint. Except for the tents selling stuff there is nothing to do around here. Getting anything acomplised in this area is tough. Look at how the owners of the burnt out place toyed with the city. What did they do for all that time. Nothing. Tied up in legal while an embarrassing structure on a renowned piece of land slowly rotted on its foundation. Still just a big hole years later. So now we will all get to look at a big leveled stretch of land that sits and looks like that TV show on the discovery channel...."Life after humans". Just bring in the Gypsies and traveling freak shows and it will all be complete. Gypsies.....yeah bring in some Gypsies.....

Please don't bring in the traveling freak show and gypsies. An amusement park with rides for young children and teens would be a definite asset to the area.keeping a nostalgic feel to go along with the Weirs sign and Drive in .:D

just a gut feeling, eventually gambling will become legal in n.h. and this de-valuing of weirs property would play right into the hands of cash rich casino builders. I neither agree with or disagree with this but something must be done . I used to love the honky tonk feel of this place in the 70's . now we go to old orchard beach for our fix

OMG!!! Can you imagine the traffic woes at the rotary , along Weirs blvd and Endicott street if a casino was in the Weirs?!!!!!!!!! I'm from taxachusetts and I drive to foxwoods now and again secluded place in the Connecticut woods. Hopefully never in the tiny Weirs!

Going to keep hoping for nostalgia

Ummmm.....

As resident of the Weirs I have to disagree with some of what is being said.

There is ALOT of pride in Weirs, and most people do wish it was better. But until the PROPERTY OWNERS in the Weirs change and embrace a new economic model... nothing else will change.

The whole economic dynamic of the Weirs has changed.

1. There are fewer places to rent from, this leads to less of a turnover of people at the "attractions"

2. The motels have mostly been turned into condos. Those people are up every weekend, but spend way less on the "attractions" per year.

3. There are fewer "attractions"... You have the Drive-In (night only) and the arcades. The 2 biggest kid attractions (waterslides) are now gone. Not saying there isn't stuff to do.... just that's its less and less.

4. Like it or not, the days of the Weirs being a super kid friendly destination are done. Kids today would rather stay inside and play video games linked up with their friends instead of going to drop quarters in an arcade.

5. Some of the property owners in the Weirs take pride in their buildings. Others unfortunately do not.

6. Bike Week has been treated like a neglected cash cow by the city and state for years. The milk is starting to dry up....

7. The amount of Police officers in the Weirs during Bike Week is DRACONIAN! It has become the Police Overtime Fund. It kills the mood... DEAD!

I could go on and on..

The Weirs needs a comprehensive balanced economic plan. My vote would be for an atmosphere similar to Key West....

Woodsy

Like the Keys? Then we would have to legalize pot to get that laid back......:laugh: I still like the Lake George boardwalk way better. they have a bandstand and music every night until 10, bars that open to the lake, rental boats, party boats, shops galore....way more hotels and beautiful driving roads. Roads not like around here. Hmmmm......actually maybe we could start a new winter attraction. "Come ride the Rt 109 monster roller coaster. If your man enough......" We could call Frostyheave....

Lake George is Awesome... (don't tell the members of the Lake George Donzi Club I said that) :) We have a long standing rivalry.

The difference between Lake George & Lake Winni is striking. Lake George is a NY State Park... complete with access fees and a development plan with serious restrictions and rules. Google Lake George Park Commission. The islands and much of the waterfront on Lake George are not privately owned. I liken Lake George to Meredith... Of course some may say, as pretty as Meredith is, NH Hospitality pretty much bought up all of the available property and its just one big Common Man hotel.

I would like to see the Weirs keep its honky tonk image...

Woodsy

Just to clarify as I did not distinguish in my post, but "lot owners" is in reference to the paved parking lot owners. I was not including residential property owners in my post.

As a resident of that area, I would be saddened by what is happening around me and angered that it was being allowed.

Nostalgia is great, but it becomes more irrelevant every day. Soon Classic Rock will only be heard on the oldies station.

This topic is interesting because as I drove through the Weirs the other day I was thinking about how it hasn't changed since the 1960's. The only difference- everything looks older and older. Very sad. I had so much fun there in my teen years. I still have pictures of my friends and I from the photo booth. There were so many great bands at Irwin Gardens down on the pier. We had fun in the arcades also.

Teens might not want to drop a quarter in an arcade game but I think they would love to ride a coaster, a Ferris wheel, a tilt a whirl, etc... weirs is the perfect place for nostalgia. Just look at the sign!

Minni...

I think that would be great too! Unfortunately I do not think there is a large enough piece of property in the Weirs for that, nor do I think it would generate enough income. A lot of smaller amusement park type places are struggling or have closed.... Six Gun City etc. I cannot imagine what liability insurance would be on an amusement park.

Woodsy

The problem with targeting to teens, is they do not want to go somewhere like that with their parents, they want to wander with their friends and hangout. Would you drop your teenage kids off at the Weirs to ride a coaster, or take a turn on the wheel? And if you did, what would you do while they were there.

I cannot even count the number of different businesses that I have seen in my lifetime that catered solely to teens that lasted more than a year or two. Teens get bored very quickly and each generation is in to its own thing. Putting yourself in their shoes doesn't work, because they don't fit.

A quick look around the country will give you an idea that in the amusement park world, it is go big or go home. The locations that have a single amusement type ride, bring far more to the table.

I should reclassify my prior statement about nostalgia, it isn't completely irrelevant. When it is preserved and presented in a way that shows it has been cared for or cared about, I am all for it. If it is allowed to rot in the backyard, not so much and it needs to be cleaned, because it is an eyesore.

Every time I travel through the Weirs, it reminds me of the movie Groundhog Day.

The elephant in the room with all our dreaming is the sign out front says for lease not for sale. So they have no intention of selling and no developer is going to do a ground lease to build a hotel, etc. And unfortunately it is pretty clear the owner actually want to spend as little as possible on the property so there is zero chance anything is going to happen there. Literally the only way to get the owner off center is for the city to deny their bike week permit.

the changing world
 

It will be just a matter of time before the arcades close down now that everybody has a gaming system in their house...or even their phone. Growing up, we didn't have any of that so going to the Weirs or Funspot used to be the thing to do. Why go through a roll of quarters when you can download a free app. Now the photo booths you mention can be done directly from your phone and sent to all your friends within seconds. There are less and less people down at the Weirs over the years and its sad but something has to give. I can see in the very near future the arcades closing and empty buildings (until they mysteriously catch on fire). The docks are in terrible shape so its not fun to travel there by boat and tie up. So much has to be put into that whole area.

RE: Six Gun City

I just checked and the area is still in business with a new name. They are now known as Fort Jefferson Fun Park (http://www.fortjeffersonfunpark.com/) and claiming this is their 58th season so all is not lost. That being said, I've never been there in my 55 years of life. :)

Jmen24
I would definitely let the teens "do their thing" and I would take the younger kids on rides suited to their age group .then I would go over to the boardwalk with a soft serve ice cream and enjoy the show on the lake.

What would make the city deny a bike week permit?

It is laconia they make up the rules as they go! Ha
But seriously I am not one who thinks the Gov is the solution to problems but this might be one of those situations. They could have easily start denying bike week permits to these permanent parking lots, and in this case could have easily let the owner know that tearing down a structure for bike week tents is not in the best interest of the city and no permits will be issued. I am sure there would have been a legal battle but O well the government loves to spend money on attorneys and this would have been money well spent.

The Weirs is the armpit of Winnipesaukee. It will get worse before it gets better. No vision. No planning. No nothing. The idiots can't even put up a decent public marina despite having significant lake frontage.

Minni, that is fair enough and you would likely not be alone. We enjoy a good roller coaster as well, just not the same one every time and I was a teenager less than 15 years ago.

If it is any consolation, the Weirs sign would most likely be preserved and could be viewed every time you entered the lobby of the Boardwalk Casino. :)

We need more thanks buttons.i used all mine up already today. :)

Old people go to bed early...
 

For The Weirs...

Bring back Teen Haven and the big name concerts at Winnipesaukee Gardens. Late night teen hangouts can be successful.

Jack Irwin said...

“There was a place called Teen Haven just up the street where young people got together to dance. We started to change what we offered for music, putting on concerts from time to time instead of having big band dance music,” Jack recalls.
Among the big names which came to the Gardens at that time were the Beach Boys and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap. “We’d get 2200 people in for a show and have two shows a night. But it was a different generation, different music. It was more of a show than dancing.”

Yup...Fond memories

I "attended" many concerts sitting in my boat with the "girl-of-my-dreams" floating outside of The Gardens listening to The Vanilla Fudge or The Turtles, etc.

And the BIG BAND era...More from Jack

Irwin’s Winnipesaukee Gardens opened on Memorial Day weekend in 1925 and was an instant hit with the music-loving public of the 1920s. Top bands touring the country now had a new, lively place to play in, one with an ideal lakeside setting that was perfect for a summer night. And WKAV was soon conducting live broadcasts from the Gardens, bringing the Big Band sound to listeners all over New Hampshire.

And Irwin was quick to capitalize on the bathing beauty phenomena which had been started by Atlantic City’s Miss America Pageant in 1919, creating the Miss Winnipesaukee Pageant the very same year that the Gardens opened. The pageant is still going strong and has produced more Miss New Hampshire winners than any other pageant in the state.

Jack Irwin says that until the crash of 1929, everything went great for screen above the stage.the Gardens, which also offered movies which could be viewed on a big
Jack says that he can still remember watching movies from the balcony, as well as some of the best band acts ever.

“I was just a little kid when I saw Fats Waller around 1938 or 1939. If my parents couldn’t get a babysitter they’d bring me to the Gardens and let me sit in the balcony and watch things until I fell asleep,” he says.

At one time or another just about all of the big bands played at the Gardens, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Harry James and Paul Whiteman. “About the only big names we didn’t get were Louie Armstrong and Guy Lombardo. It was the liveliest spot in the state, along with the Hampton Casino, for many years,” says Jack.

“Tuesdays and Thursdays were Big Band nights. That’s when we’d get those Big Bands which were touring the country. We’d have bands playing every night except Sunday. The house band played the other nights and they lived right up here at the Weirs all summer. The Tony Brown orchestra was one of the house bands and a lot of people liked to come by during the week to dance because prices doubled on the weekend, when we always had a full house.”

I have to think that things should improve in the Weirs. They are building million dollar condos where look off rock and there is the development of a Akawa yacht club. I have to think improvements will continue to make its way down the blvd.
Why would people make that kind of investment if the area continued to be depressed. I am optimistic.

The Weirs should be...
 

In my opinion. Not improved by making it a condo development for seniors and boring residential property. It should become, and stay, a fun destination place to go.

Gary I don't believe dykg meant investing in the area as in more housing development. He mentioned just up the street there are substantial developments that have been already built. Therefore to maintain the values and investments of these high end condos, the facelift to the Weir 's area will hopefully progress down the street, bringing the attraction back.

Thanks for clarifing PCMC.

With all the investing that Akawa is doing along Lakeside/Scenic road. They must have some idea of the future of the Weirs. Wouldn't you think?

I too remember seeing some great bands in the 60's and 70's there - Beach Boys, 3 Dog Night, Gary Puckett, etc, etc

I also remember that the reason they never played on Sunday was because there was an old "blue" law that you were not allowed to dance on Sundays - so funny.

One would hope so. Living in CT. it seems if there is an open piece of land, a building has to be put on it. It's hardly ever about preserving the area, it's always about profiting off of every square inch, no matter how much damage will be done down the road when the areas age and time passes.(get run down) Greed can do a lot of damage, and usually is a ulterior motive., but I suppose this is what keeps the world going around. Sad.

Another thing, as a bright side. The Weirs being so space deprived, buildings and in this case the water slide, get torn down and replaced. Another pet peeve of mine is when there is huge vacant commercial building available , but a brand new 'similar' building gets erected just up the street, while the old one sits. (I realize it can be cheaper to build new vs renovate, and people want customized space, but the community should rank a little higher up.)

Sorry to rant.