Cedar Point closing Sandcastle Suites, Extreme Sports Stadium

Editor's note: Justin Dietz is a Register correspondent representing CPFoodBlog.com and @CPFoodBlog on Twitter. On Tuesday, Cedar Point announced it would close Sandcastle Suites Hotel and the Extreme Sports Stadium, also referred to as the former Aquatic Stadium. Dietz provided some context and history of both attractions.When Cedar Point opened for the 1980 season, the scene was quite different than what we see today. One did not see the iconic GateKeeper over the entryway. Nor was there the ushering in of the coaster wars with Magnum, Millennium Force and all your other favorite roller coasters.Instead, Cedar Point was facing competition from a little park in Aurora, Ohio, called Sea World of Ohio. As the competition won over the crowds with whales, sea lions and dolphin shows, Cedar Point set out to capitalize by opening a venue called Oceana Stadium.In this undated photo, a dolphin jumps through a ring at the former venue called Oceana Stadium. it later became the Extreme Sports Stadium, also referred to as the former Aquatic Stadium.The five-story high, 1,600-seat stadium was constructed next to the Cedar Point Beach at a cost of about $3 million and included an adjacent aquarium that featured exhibits of penguins, sharks along with hundreds of saltwater and freshwater fish.Oceana Stadium featured four dolphins named Misty, Breeze, Cocoa and Striker that entertained millions of guests for 18 years. Cocoa and Striker died in 1996 while Misty passed in 1998.By the 1999 season, Cedar Point had some epic roller coasters, and the face of the park was being redefined now that Magnum, Mean Steak, Raptor and other coasters had proven a winning strategy over the competition. As a result of the new focus of the park and the decline of the dolphin show, the stadium was rebranded as Cedar Point Aquatic Stadium, featuring a high-dive show.Fast forward to the 2001 season, and Cedar Point removed the aquarium portion of the former Oceana Stadium site to make way for Wicked Twister.Following the 2007 season, the stadium and entertainment was changed once again, this time as Extreme Sports Stadium featuring the All Wheels Extreme stunt show.While the fate of All Wheels Extreme hangs in the balance, the fate of the stadium will finally be laid to rest following the 2017 season: Cedar Point has announced that, during the offseason, Extreme Sports Stadium will be removed for future unnamed development.Cedar Point has not explicitly stated that All Wheels Extreme will return for 2018, but the amusement park hinted that it could return.While the removal of the stadium opens up a nice plot of land for the future, it does not appear to have an impact on one of the improvements we will see for 2018. Currently, the boardwalk ends at the WindSeeker entrance, however, for 2018, the boardwalk will be extended to the main parking lot. This effectively makes it easier for guests to gain access to the beach and park in the front and be able to walk to Cedar Point Shores.Cedar Point announced on Tuesday it would close the Extreme Sports Stadium, also referred to as the former Aquatic StadiumSandcastle Suites Hotel & Breakwater CafeAnother interesting development that has been announced is Sandcastle Suites Hotel, located at the northern end of the Cedar Point Peninsula, as well as the adjacent Breakwater Cafe, will also be razed following the 2017 season. The last guests checked out this past Sunday.Sandcastle Suites Hotel opened in 1990, offering an alternative style of accommodations than throughout the rest of the property. Sandcastle Suites underwent a $5 million renovation for the 2008 season.The use of the Breakwater Cafe had been declining in recent years, going from a full-service restaurant to only a breakfast buffet.The interesting piece about the removal of Sandcastle Suites Hotel & Breakwater Cafe is the massive piece of property that is opened up.While the area of the peninsula is too far removed from the park to appear to justify the use for a new ride, nor does it make sense for another water park expansion, what does make sense is additional accommodations to add to the resort lineup.Could we see an expansion of the Cedar Point campground into the area? Possibly. However, what is missing is a big wilderness lodge-style resort.There seems to be no end in sight to the demand for accommodations during the summer months. But, looking beyond, in the near future, there is going to be a big need for year-round accommodations throughout the Sandusky region, thanks in part to the expansion of Sports Force Park indoor facility. If demand is where it is predicted, there will be a need for year-round accommodations, which Cedar Point does not currently offer.Cedar Fair would not be betting on a year-round sports facility if it did not plan on capitalizing on the investment. While Cedar Point may not be able to hedge their bets with the park closed during the offseason, where they can recoup its investment is with hotel accommodations.Just like ski resorts make a play by offering summer activities to draw in crowds, perhaps Cedar Point could be making a bet toward the future by preparing the Sandcastle Suites Hotel & Breakwater Cafe area for a year-round style resort.While 2018 is going to be a spectacular year with the introduction of Steel Vengeance, there is already work being put in motion for 2018 and beyond that will continue to see Cedar Point flourish as a world-class resort.Cedar Point announced on Tuesday it would close Sandcastle Suites Hotel, located at the tip of the Cedar Point Peninsula. The last guests checked out this past Sunday.