Legoland officially replaces Cypress Gardens site

By The Associated Press
Published: January 24, 2010

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WINTER HAVEN (AP) - A Florida theme park known for its water ski shows and Southern belles will be turned into a new Legoland.

Merlin Entertainments Group officially announced Thursday that it will transform Cypress Gardens into Legoland Florida.

Merlin CEO Nick Varney said the theme park will rank among the top five in the world and establish Winter Haven as a tourist destination known around the world.

Gov. Charlie Crist attended the announcement and thanked the British company for picking Florida. The attraction is expected to create 1,000 full-time jobs.

Crist and Varney unveiled a model of a Florida panther cub made from 6,200 Lego bricks. Lego artists also created a basketball-sized model of an orange and a representation of the Polk County shield.