Merlin Entertainments has purchased the Cypress Gardens site in Winter Haven, Florida, US for an undisclosed sum. The transaction includes the current theme park, Splash Island Waterpark and the historic botanical gardens.

Having been opened in 1936 by Dick Pope, the 73-year-old Florida theme park closed in October 2009 after its then owners - Land South Adventures, who paid US$16.8m for it in 2007 - said dwindling visitor numbers had made it financially unviable. This was despite a temporary closure for renovations between November 2008 and March 2009.

Merlin - which operates Gardaland in Italy, Alton Towers in the UK and Legoland parks in the UK, Denmark, Germany and California, US - will now be working with local Polk County and Florida State authorities on developing its proposals for the Winter Haven site. The company says it is 'very encouraged' by their initial support.

Further details of the development will be announced at a press conference on 21 January.

Pic: Splash Island Waterpark, the Tonga Tubes