In a move that wraps nostalgia in a big bow of community pride, Pittsburgh native Ricky Spicuzza has been tapped to steer Kennywood Park and Sandcastle Water Park as their new general manager. Hailing from a background deeply woven into the fabric of Palace Entertainment's Pittsburgh-based parks, Spicuzza climbs the ranks from his post as assistant general manager, a position covered by CBS News Pittsburgh.
Spicuzza's career trajectory resembles a roller coaster of its own—a steady climb since 2002 when he first joined Kennywood as a member of the food and beverage team. From managing water spectacles at Idlewild & SoakZone to eventually assuming a director of operations role, his path has been characterized by a sequence of promotions. According to WPXI, this seasoned pro also held the role of assistant general manager at Sandcastle Water Park before his latest appointment.
Mark Pauls, Vice President of Operations, expressed an effusive vote of confidence in Spicuzza's capabilities to helm these treasured Pittsburgh landmarks. "After more than 22 seasons with Palace Entertainment, we are thrilled to name Ricky Spicuzza as general manager of Kennywood Park and Sandcastle Water Park," he stated, as per CBS News Pittsburgh. "I believe Ricky is the perfect person to lead each of these beloved Pittsburgh institutions as we continue to invest in these properties with new capital projects, robust event lineups and more."
For his inaugural feat as the general manager, Spicuzza extended Kennywood's closing time to 10 p.m. through July 20, providing park aficionados with more hours to relive their fondest memories or create new ones. The investment in the park experience is palpable, with upgrades such as the Potato Smash bumper cars and a variety of new dining options like Jeeter's Pub, ensuring that the parks' offerings remain as fresh as the faces that pass through their gates, details CBS News Pittsburgh.
