The Madrid City Council plans to revitalize the Amusement Park, a venue that attracts nearly a million visitors annually. The initiative will focus on a new concession aimed at modernizing the facilities and increasing the park's competitiveness as a hub for tourism and leisure in the capital. The tender documents will be published in the coming weeks and will be a key topic at this Tuesday's State of the City Debate.
This tender will conclude the current concession, which dates back to 1967, the year the construction, maintenance, and operation of the park, inaugurated in 1968, were awarded. Since its opening, the management has been in the hands of Parques Reunidos.
The new tender documents will prioritize bids that include significant investments for the park's modernization and the introduction of new attractions. Improvements in accessibility to create a more inclusive park and measures focused on energy saving will also be required.
“"The historic Carousel of the Amusement Park, handcrafted in France in 1927 and acquired by the park in 1968, must be subject to special conservation."
One of the most significant novelties will be the reinforced protection of the historic Carousel of the Amusement Park. This piece, of great architectural and artistic value, will require maintenance, consolidation, and potential restoration by the future operator.
The council has made it clear that all investments and operating expenses will be borne by the concessionaire or third parties, with no financial contribution from the municipality. Furthermore, any action must respect the current area of green spaces and gardens.
The park's history dates back to 1941, when the municipal intention to build a similar facility in the Casa de Campo already existed. The project did not progress until 1966, with the start of the public tender. The initial concession was for 35 years, extended in 1992 for another 24 years. Following losses due to the pandemic, an economic rebalancing was approved in 2023, extending its validity until September 27, 2027.
Throughout its 58 years of operation, the park has undergone five major renovations. The sixties and nineties saw the addition of attractions like the Ferris Wheel and the Flying Chair. In 1998, it was reorganized into five thematic areas, and between 2005 and 2006, two of its most emblematic roller coasters, Abismo and Tarántula, were inaugurated. The last major expansion took place between 2014 and 2018 with the Nickelodeon children's area.
Currently, the venue offers over thirty attractions, having renovated nearly forty facilities throughout its history. The predominant visitor profile consists of families with children and young people, with a predominantly local clientele. The City Council is confident that the new concession will boost the park's competitiveness and attract both Madrileños and tourists.
