Rivoli Rotterdam ( to ) Attractiepark Rotterdam ( to ) Speelstad Rotterdam ( to )
Etymology
'Speelstad' is Dutch for 'Play Town'.
Rivoli is a play on words, combining 'Rotterdam' and 'Tivoli'.
'Spelen bij Beelen' is Dutch for 'Play at Beelen's place'. Beelen is the new owner of the park.
Location
This park is located on the former site of the AVR (AfvalVerwerking Rijnmond) waste incineration facility. Built in the 1960s and 1970s on the south side of Rotterdam, the installation became known as the “Cathedral of the South” due to its immense scale and distinctive appearance. The facility was shut down around 2010, after which AVR transitioned to more modern operations elsewhere.
History
In 2012, Dutch entrepreneur Hennie van der Most purchased the former AVR waste incinerator buildings on the Rotterdam waterfront for €750,000. The land remains under a lease agreement with the City of Rotterdam. Due to multiple delays, the project’s future remains uncertain. The current lease runs until 2030, creating a catch‑22: the term is too short to attract new investors, yet additional investment is required to open the park and support an extension of the lease.
At a foreclosure auction, the park was sold to Dutch milionaire entrepreneur Wim Beelen, who made his fortune in demolition and recycling. He plans on opening the park but wants to focus more on being a play park. The large mechanical rides like the roller coaster, will be removed.