Jcb54680
03-10-2007, 04:07 AM
For years the small city of Redwood had looked for a way to make their town grow. The town pleaded with businesses, and entrepenurs to bring their companies or their attractions to Redwood so that they could recieve some national recognism and, perhaps, even a little tourism.
The town's prayers were first answered by Tony Lanceman who brought his world reknown name and credibility to Redwood. In 1992, Lanceman bought 110 acres of land on the west side of town and build "Redwood Pines Country Club." Since then, RPCC has been a staple in the PGA Tour and many special chairity events as well.
The city of Redwood used a little of the money it had been making from events to approve the financing of a new sporting/concert facility. In 1998 ground broke on the 6,195 seat multi-purpose arena west side of the city and serves as an exhibit hall during the annual fair. It is the home of the minor league baseball team the Redwood Timbers, and with a rumored expansion of MLB coming up, rumor has it that the team may turn pro soon.
Redwood was riding high and didn't think it could get any better until In 2004 it was announced that the Alden Resort Company was looking for land to open their second resort to supplement their original theme park resort, Aldenland which had opened in California in 1989 under the supervison and creativity helmed by the late Philip Alden.
Alden had made millions in much the same way Walt Disney did, animation. He created many new childhood classics like "The Flower Queen" and the musical classic "Fantastico" and in 1985 started working on his idea for a themepark. When asked why he wanted to create this new themepark, Mr Alden replied "If people want to keep thinking I'm another Walt Disney, I'd better at least give them a reason to."
In 1989, after years of planning and construction, Aldenland opened it's doors to the public. Mr. Alden, moments before cutting the ribbon that would officially open the park, gave this dedication:
"As a boy I dreamed of becoming a knight, an anstronaught, an cowboy, a deep sea explorer, a king, and anything else I could possibly think of. I dreamed I could fly with the birds, I could swim with the sea turtles, and explore the jungle with the leopards. As an adult, I've tried to bring that to life in all the things that I do. And now, on this happy day, I give to you, my gift. My Aldenland."
That was March 31st, 1989. Aldenland was an instant success and easily became another must-see park in the California area. But Mr. Alden was not satisfied. He didn't want to share the glory. He wanted it all. So in 2001, he set out to travel the US looking for a place to build his new resort. The place he found... was Redwood...
Planning began in November 2003 and the ground was broken. Things seemed like they couldn't get any better. Then tragedy struck. Mr. Alden, at age 65, died in his sleep on April 22nd 2004. The public quietly morned his passing and several special events were held in his honor at Aldenland. The president even was quoted as saying "We've lost one of our best today."
Day-to-day operations of the Alden Studios, Aldenland, & the proposed new Alden Pines Resort were taken by Philips Alden's nephew Brian Alden. Brian told the world that he would see to it that his Uncle's dream would not die and that Alden Pines would see the light of day.
That day is today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red1.jpg
This is a view of part of west Redwood as it stands now. You can see the Grand Redwood Hotel in the foreground left, the Royal Arms Suites in the foreground right, as well as various retail and residential areas.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red2.jpg
This is a view of Redwood Pines Country Club from the roof of a nearby residential building.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red3.jpg
From the front sidewalk leading up the entrance, I snapped this picture of what looks to be the ticket booths.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red4.jpg
I stood on top of my van in what is soon to be the north parking lot for Alden Pines to get this picture. I looks like the front entrance of the park to me, but that may be just speculation. Perhaps they have another plan for this building...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red5.jpg
This is a view from the Grand Redwood Hotel's roof of what looks like some sort of fountain basin. As far as I can tell, there's no water yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red6.jpg
This is a view of the Central Clock Tower under construction. The Central Clock Tower, as all Aldenland fans know, is one of the trademarks of the Aldenland theme park and I assume before Mr. Alden passed on, he had plans to bring some of the same aspects of Aldenland to it's sister park.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red7.jpg
I'm standing on the roof of my car again for this one. I'm trying to get a better view of the Central Clock Tower. It's really coming along now. It's missing, from what I can tell, just a few minor sections of wall and the components for the clock itself. We'll see if they have any surprises cooked up for Alden Pines Resort's version of the CCT.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red8.jpg
I only tried to snag a couple of night pictures of the constuction so far. This was the only one that turned out. It's the basin all lit up for night time festivites.
Well I hope you enjoyed my update of how things at Alden Pines Resort have been coming along. I make sure to at least drive by it everyday to see what kind of progress they've made. They seem to be pushing at breakneck speeds to try and get the park open to the visitors. From the rumors that have been circulating around the net at http://www.aldenpinesresortblog.com (http://www.arustylife.com) and various other websites, it appears that they are soon planning on having an open house for some publicity and then are planning on opening up to some limited visitors after the different sections start nearing completion.
Comments are appreciated but not nessasary.
The town's prayers were first answered by Tony Lanceman who brought his world reknown name and credibility to Redwood. In 1992, Lanceman bought 110 acres of land on the west side of town and build "Redwood Pines Country Club." Since then, RPCC has been a staple in the PGA Tour and many special chairity events as well.
The city of Redwood used a little of the money it had been making from events to approve the financing of a new sporting/concert facility. In 1998 ground broke on the 6,195 seat multi-purpose arena west side of the city and serves as an exhibit hall during the annual fair. It is the home of the minor league baseball team the Redwood Timbers, and with a rumored expansion of MLB coming up, rumor has it that the team may turn pro soon.
Redwood was riding high and didn't think it could get any better until In 2004 it was announced that the Alden Resort Company was looking for land to open their second resort to supplement their original theme park resort, Aldenland which had opened in California in 1989 under the supervison and creativity helmed by the late Philip Alden.
Alden had made millions in much the same way Walt Disney did, animation. He created many new childhood classics like "The Flower Queen" and the musical classic "Fantastico" and in 1985 started working on his idea for a themepark. When asked why he wanted to create this new themepark, Mr Alden replied "If people want to keep thinking I'm another Walt Disney, I'd better at least give them a reason to."
In 1989, after years of planning and construction, Aldenland opened it's doors to the public. Mr. Alden, moments before cutting the ribbon that would officially open the park, gave this dedication:
"As a boy I dreamed of becoming a knight, an anstronaught, an cowboy, a deep sea explorer, a king, and anything else I could possibly think of. I dreamed I could fly with the birds, I could swim with the sea turtles, and explore the jungle with the leopards. As an adult, I've tried to bring that to life in all the things that I do. And now, on this happy day, I give to you, my gift. My Aldenland."
That was March 31st, 1989. Aldenland was an instant success and easily became another must-see park in the California area. But Mr. Alden was not satisfied. He didn't want to share the glory. He wanted it all. So in 2001, he set out to travel the US looking for a place to build his new resort. The place he found... was Redwood...
Planning began in November 2003 and the ground was broken. Things seemed like they couldn't get any better. Then tragedy struck. Mr. Alden, at age 65, died in his sleep on April 22nd 2004. The public quietly morned his passing and several special events were held in his honor at Aldenland. The president even was quoted as saying "We've lost one of our best today."
Day-to-day operations of the Alden Studios, Aldenland, & the proposed new Alden Pines Resort were taken by Philips Alden's nephew Brian Alden. Brian told the world that he would see to it that his Uncle's dream would not die and that Alden Pines would see the light of day.
That day is today.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red1.jpg
This is a view of part of west Redwood as it stands now. You can see the Grand Redwood Hotel in the foreground left, the Royal Arms Suites in the foreground right, as well as various retail and residential areas.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red2.jpg
This is a view of Redwood Pines Country Club from the roof of a nearby residential building.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red3.jpg
From the front sidewalk leading up the entrance, I snapped this picture of what looks to be the ticket booths.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red4.jpg
I stood on top of my van in what is soon to be the north parking lot for Alden Pines to get this picture. I looks like the front entrance of the park to me, but that may be just speculation. Perhaps they have another plan for this building...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red5.jpg
This is a view from the Grand Redwood Hotel's roof of what looks like some sort of fountain basin. As far as I can tell, there's no water yet.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red6.jpg
This is a view of the Central Clock Tower under construction. The Central Clock Tower, as all Aldenland fans know, is one of the trademarks of the Aldenland theme park and I assume before Mr. Alden passed on, he had plans to bring some of the same aspects of Aldenland to it's sister park.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red7.jpg
I'm standing on the roof of my car again for this one. I'm trying to get a better view of the Central Clock Tower. It's really coming along now. It's missing, from what I can tell, just a few minor sections of wall and the components for the clock itself. We'll see if they have any surprises cooked up for Alden Pines Resort's version of the CCT.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v427/Jcb54680/RCT3/red8.jpg
I only tried to snag a couple of night pictures of the constuction so far. This was the only one that turned out. It's the basin all lit up for night time festivites.
Well I hope you enjoyed my update of how things at Alden Pines Resort have been coming along. I make sure to at least drive by it everyday to see what kind of progress they've made. They seem to be pushing at breakneck speeds to try and get the park open to the visitors. From the rumors that have been circulating around the net at http://www.aldenpinesresortblog.com (http://www.arustylife.com) and various other websites, it appears that they are soon planning on having an open house for some publicity and then are planning on opening up to some limited visitors after the different sections start nearing completion.
Comments are appreciated but not nessasary.