Ungersheim/France: French Balloon Specialists Take Over Operations of Bioscope

According to reports of Badische Zeitung, the French theme park Bioscope has now found a new operator. Originally opened in 2006 by Grévin & Cie, the theme park had been supported with aid money amounting to 20 million Euros from the region and the department at that time. Despite the fact that the park had actually pledged itself to continue operations for at least 30 years in return, it had been closed at the end of September 2012 with a deficit of 28 million Euros. The two Frenchman Jérôme Giacomoni and Mathieu Gobbi, founders of the tethered gas balloon manufacturing company Aerophile, have reportedly taken over the theme park. While further details about the future concept of the park will not be disclosed before autumn of this year, the new operators reportedly plan to at least invest four million Euros in the park. According to Badische Zeitung, the re-opening of Bioscope, which is planned to be renamed “Harmonia”, is scheduled for Easter 2014. Moreover, the new operators are reportedly planning to install one of their balloons within the park. (eap)