RICKY SPICUZZA, THE NEW GENERAL MANGER OF KENNYWOOD AND SANDCASTLE PARKS. | PHOTO COURTESY OF PALACE ENTERTAINMENT

It didn’t take Ricky Spicuzza long to make changes upon his promotion to general manager of Kennywood and Sandcastle Water parks. Working behind the scenes earlier this month, he extended Kennywood’s closing hours by an hour — from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. — through July 20. 

Palace Entertainment, which owns both Kennywood and Sandcastle, announced the promotion of Spicuzza on Tuesday. He’s a lifelong Pittsburgher who has worked at one of Palace Entertainment’s parks for 22 seasons. Palace also owns Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier.

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He started his career with Palace Entertainment in 2002 as a food and beverage team member at Kennywood. In 2010, Spicuzza worked as the aquatics manager at Idlewild & SoakZone before his promotion to director of operations in 2013. 

He has now served as assistant general manager at each of Palace Entertainment’s three Pittsburgh-based parks; Idlewild in 2016, Sandcastle Water Park in 2021 and Kennywood Park in 2023. 

Last year, Spicuzza also led several Kennywood upgrades including the opening of the new Potato Smash bumper cars, Carousel Burger Company and Jeeter’s Pub. According to a press release from Palace Entertainment, Spicuzza has been instrumental in overseeing the operations, retail, maintenance, security and food and beverage departments at Kennywood since his appointment. 

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He succeeds Mark Pauls, who has been promoted within Palace Entertainment to vice president of operations for the United States and Australia. Palace owns more than 20 major entertainment venues across 10 states and two countries, says Lynsey Winters, Palace communications director.