Ride operator turned millionaire outlines plans to revive Wonderland
A Sydney property developer has laid out plans to revive the Wonderland theme park he once used to work at part-time.
Self-made millionaire Ammar Khan has come a long way since working on the door and rides at the Eastern Creek site, but the fun fare has never left him.
“I miss the old place a lot, I was devastated to see it close,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“It was as bad as losing a close family member. It hung over for me for months or years.
“That was my driving motivator and five years on I was putting my own money in there."
Mr Khan has a retro development plan in the pipeline that is more in line with the original 1985 fun park and its rides.
"It will be based on the old park. There will be a Bush Beastie, Space Probe and Demon. We have already gone and met with the suppliers who sell those rides in the US and Europe," he said.
Mr Khan worked part-time at Wonderland for nine years before making his fortune in property.
He had been personally funding the passion project until this year when Fox Petroleum also committed funds.
“It was always going to be a challenge. I thought I'll do this, I'll give it a go and if it works it works,” he said.
The project has a four-year projection and will be split into two phases with a theme, water and wildlife park to be included in the first, and sporting venues and a convention centre in the second.
A site for the project has not yet been determined but Mr Khan said he and investors were looking at land near Badgerys Creek, close to an airport. A proposal will be lodged with State Government once a site is secure.
