Coast Entertainment began in 1998 as Macquarie Leisure Trust, a listed trust managed by Macquarie Leisure Operations, a subsidiary of Macquarie Bank.[6][7] The trust acquired the existing Dreamworld theme park in July 1998.[6] In November 1999, it purchased d'Albora Marinas, a provider of berth and marina facilities, for A$36.3 million.[8]
Macquarie Leisure acquired the Cabarita Point Marina for its D'Albora Marinas business in January 2004.[9] In October 2004, Macquarie Leisure acquired AMF Bowling's Australian business for A$67.4 million.[10] In August 2006, it announced that it would acquire the Texas-based family entertainment centre operator Main Event Entertainment.[11] Later that year, it opened WhiteWater World, a new water park constructed on the Gold Coast.[12][13]
In July 2007, Macquarie Leisure announced it would acquire Goodlife Health Clubs for $60 million. At the time, Goodlife had 18 health clubs across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.[14]
Ardent Leisure (2009–2023)
In August 2009, management of Macquarie Leisure Trust was internalised and it was renamed Ardent Leisure Group, ending its connection with Macquarie Group.[15] In November 2009, Ardent Leisure acquired the QDeck observation deck for A$13.3 million.[16]
In April 2015, Deborah Thomas, former editor of Cleo and other magazines, was appointed as chief executive officer (CEO) of Ardent Leisure.[2][17] Thomas was replaced on 9 June 2017 when Simon Kelly was appointed as CEO and Managing Director.[1]
In August 2016, Ardent sold the Goodlife Health Clubs business to Quadrant Private Equity for $260 million.[18] In December that year, Ardent Leisure sold its d'Albora Marinas division for A$126 million to a special purpose vehicle owned by Goldman Sachs and Balmain Corporation.[19] In December 2017, Ardent sold its to Australian bowling and arcade businesses (AMF, Kingpin and Playtime) to The Entertainment and Education Group for A$160 million.[20]
In June 2020, RedBird Capital Partners acquired a 24.2% stake in Main Event.[21] On 6 April 2022, competitor Dave & Buster's announced its intent to wholly acquire Main Event from Ardent and RedBird for US$835 million (A$1.1 billion); former Main Event CEO Chris Morris was retained, and was made the CEO of Dave and Buster’s.[22][23][21]
Coast Entertainment (2023–present)
Ardent Leisure changed its name to Coast Entertainment Holdings in December 2023.[24]
Ardent Leisure began as the company which owned and operated the Dreamworld theme park on the Gold Coast. Dreamworld was acquired in July 1998 - within a month of its establishment.[6] The theme park has over 30 rides, shows and attractions[25] across a 30-hectare (74-acre) park.[6][26] In December 2006, an adjacent water park to Dreamworld opened. WhiteWater World features 14 different water attractions including some Australian firsts.[12][13]
On 25 October 2016, four people were killed at the Dreamworld theme park owned by Ardent. The Thunder River Rapids Ride they were travelling on malfunctioned and they were thrown onto a flooded conveyor belt.[27]
Criticism was initially levelled when it was proposed to partially re-open Dreamworld for a memorial event, with proceeds going to the Australian Red Cross, on 28 October. This was later cancelled to allow investigations into the incident to continue unimpeded.[28] Dreamworlds CEO Craig Davidson later said that it would not reopen till at least after all four funerals were held. This was decided by Ardent CEO Deborah Thomas.[29]
By coincidence Ardent's annual general meeting (AGM) was scheduled for 27 October, two days after the accident. During the meeting CEO Deborah Thomas was criticised for not having directly contacted all the families of those killed.[29] She was also criticised over her bonuses, totalling about $850,000, which were voted on at the AGM. Thomas later said that she would give the cash component of her yearly bonus, equalling A$167,500, to the Red Cross "... to support people affected by this tragic event".[30] After the AGM, Ardent's share price dropped sharply after the incident, reducing its market capitalisation by A$310 million.[31]
The findings of the Coroner's report (by Queensland south-eastern coroner James McDougall) were released on 24 February 2020.[32][33]
On 21 July 2020, Ardent announced to the Australian Stock Exchange that three charges had been laid against Ardent. The charges were filed by the Work Health and Safety prosecutor, under the Work Health and Safety Act, at the Brisbane Magistrates Court. The maximum penalty for each charge is A$1.5 million.[34]
On 29 July 2020, Dreamworld operator Ardent Leisure pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the death of four people on the Thunder River Rapids Ride.[35] In the Southport Magistrates Court on 28 September, Magistrate Pam Dowse sentenced Ardent Leisure to a A$3.6 million fine.[36]
^McKenna, Kate (24 February 2020). "Dreamworld Thunder River Rapids accident inquest findings handed down by coroner". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 February 2020. The Coroner (Queensland south-eastern coroner James McDougall) said: " ...there had been a "systemic failure by Dreamworld in relation to all aspects of safety" and that he was referring parent company Ardent Leisure for possible prosecution.
