WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. -- Kennywood Park is being sold to Madrid, Spain-based Parques Reunidos.

Current owner Kennywood Entertainment is selling the amusement park to the Spanish company, which already manages dozens of amusement, water and animal parks in the United States and Europe.

For the two families who have been in control of Kennywood for more than 100 years, the decision to sell was a difficult one.

"I know that it wasn't an easy decision. I'm certain of that. In many ways, a bittersweet decision," said Kennywood public relations director Mary Lou Rosemeyer.

In a news release, Kennywood Entertainment Chairman Harry Henninger said that Parques Reunidos shares the company's vision and philosophy, and that customers won't notice any changes in the Kennywood park experience.

Existing management and staff will remain in place, Henninger said.

"I don't think we'll see any changes," said Rosemeyer. "We'll just simply be a part of a larger company."

"I just always kind of liked that it was a family, old-fashioned looking amusement park, and I hope they kind of keep it that way," said parkgoer Sherri Figarra.

Also included in the deal are Kennywood Entertainment's other local properties -- Sandcastle Waterpark and the Riverplex in West Homestead, and Idlewild and SoakZone in Ligonier.

Kennywood officials would not disclose the price, but Parques Reunidos bought 33 parks from Palace Entertainment for $330 million in August.

This deal involved five parks.

"They were looking for a strong company here in the Unites States to grow and be successful, and we met that bill," said Rosemeyer.

Parques Reunidos is the second largest entertainment company in Europe, and they are looking to make a mark in the U.S.

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What do you think about the Kennywood deal? After decades of local ownership, Pittsburgh's favorite park will be sold. Is it a big deal to you? Click here to read some of your comments so far.

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'Taco Stand' Comment From Kennywood Spokeswoman Stirs Up Controversy

As the Kennywood story developed throughout the day, Rosemeyer came under fire for a comment she gave involving the sale of the park.

When asked if the park would change under new ownership, Rosemeyer said, "The park's going to continue to be what it is, what we all love. We don't expect to see any changes. We don't think it's going to become a giant taco stand."

That comment spurred a number of e-mails and phone calls at both WTAE Channel 4 Action News and Kennywood Park, with some viewers taking exception to it.

Rosemeyer said she feels terrible about what she said. In an e-mail response to a complaint, she wrote: "As soon as I made the comment, I realized there was a possibility I could be taken seriously when my comment was simply meant to be plain ol' silly."

Later in the day, she offered an on-camera apology during WTAE's 5 p.m. newscast.

"I really meant it in a light, fun kind of way, trying to be silly," Rosemeyer said. "In no way did I ever mean to offend anybody in the Hispanic community. And tacos are actually Mexican, not Spanish, so that was another mistake. I have to apologize if it offended anyone."

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