Winter Haven, FL -- The Starliner roller coaster could be moving south a bit.

The old roller coaster, built in 1963 as part of the Miracle Strip Amusement in Panama City, has been purchased by Adventure Parks Group, which owns Cypress Gardens Adventure Park and Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Ga. Miracle Strip closed Labor Day.

Park officials have not decided which of the two parks the old wooden roller coaster will be moved to, said Sara Sumner, a spokeswoman for the parks.

"I would love to see it go to Cypress Gardens," Sumner said Tuesday. "It's another piece of Florida tourism history."

How much the park group paid for the coaster was unavailable Tuesday.

"We're pleased to be able to add the Starliner to our ride lineup," President/CEO Kent Buescher said in a statement Monday. "Aside from its historical significance, the coaster is a classic wooden ride that will appeal to a broad range of ages, making it a perfect fit for either one of our family-oriented parks."

Buescher purchased Cypress Gardens last year after it closed in April 2003. After spending more than $40 million on renovations, Buescher reopened the 69year-old tourist attraction Dec. 9.

Now located on the white sands of Panama City Beach, no matter where the Starliner ends up, the out-and-back coaster will be moving inland.

Before beginning the process of dismantling the ride this month, park officials will get a "footprint" of the coaster to begin discussing where it will best fit, Sumner said.

"They can shoe-horn rides in where you wouldn't think they could. Engineers can do works of wonder these days," she said. "It would be a great fit at either park."

Dismantling the Starliner will take about six weeks before the ride can be moved.

The first major roller coaster built in Florida, the Starliner was erected more than 40 years ago when Jimmy Lark, a Panama City businessman, charged 25 cents a ride. More rides added the following year signaled the beginning of Miracle Strip.

The coaster will be one of only a few designed by famed roller coaster designer John Allen that are still in operation.

Originally published online here: http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050323/NEWS/503230349/1134