WHITE PLAINS, NY—The drawn out and contentious effort toredevelop Rye Playland took a major dramatic turnas Westchester County has abandoned a $34-million plan proposed bySustainable Playland Inc. to redevelop themoney-losing 280-acre amusement park.

County Executive Robert Astorino announcedon Wednesday the county has hired American SkatingEntertainment Centers, the largest independentowner/operator of ice rinks in the United States, to operate theIce Casino at Playland for a 10-year period. Inaddition, Dan Biederman, who had served as aconsultant with Sustainable Playland, has been hired by WestchesterCounty to undertake a review of the amusement park, which willinclude examinations of operations, factors contributing to profitsand losses, and opportunities for sponsorships.

In addition, Biederman will explore strategic options for thepark such as the selection of a private operator, the addition ofnew attractions and activities, and the development of revenuegenerating sponsorships. Biederman will present a list ofrecommendations on the best avenues to improve Playland'soperations to the county in the fall.