CONNEAUT LAKE — Area business owners are hopeful Conneaut Lake Park will reopen in 2008, but say they are being “realistic” in not setting those hopes too high.

The amusement park’s failure to open fully for the 2007 season cut revenue for Conneaut Lake-area businesses by 30 to 50 percent and resulted in a loss of approximately 100 seasonal jobs.

“Common sense says nothing will happen (for an opening in 2008), but my head wants it to (open),” said Wanda Ramaley, who owns the Stable Pit & Pub restaurant at Conneaut Lake. “I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars in advertising not knowing what may happen.”

“I’m praying for it,” Don Weyel said of the park reopening in some form in 2008.

Weyel is a past president of the Conneaut Lake Area Business Association and had operated a pony ride for 54 years at the park. “Its (closure in 2007) had a big impact on this area.”

Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park, which owns the park as a charitable public trust, has sought proposals to lease out parts or all of the park’s operations for 2008. Those proposals are awaiting a review.

However, Ramaley doesn’t see leases as the answer, but would prefer a return to private ownership of the park.

“A charitable trust prevents anyone from buying over there,” she said of the park, adding that private ownership will allow investment in the facility.

“People aren’t going to invest in something they don’t own,” she said. “My gut feeling is the park as we know it is out for good.”

Weyel remained optimistic the lease proposals will work.

“I’m hoping we hear something good no later than February or March,” he said.

Patty Reynolds, who owns the 21-unit Irish Cove Motel near the park, hopes the park will open in 2008, “but I’m not counting on it.”

Reynolds wants the Conneaut Lake Area Business Association to have other events this coming summer “to bring people to the Conneaut Lake area.”