Kennywood Park is such a Pittsburgh icon that it is hard to imagine life here without it. Even the controversy surrounding the new ticket pricing structure at the amusement park was an unwitting compliment of sorts. The critics had an air of personal grievance about them -- how could my Kennywood do that!

In our view, the criticism was overstated, but now Kennywood is talking about doing something else -- and it ought to be received as good news by everyone who has a concern for regional interests. Kennywood Entertainment announced last week that it is buying about 48 acres in Duquesne for $2.6 million. The purchase will increase the 92-acre park to some 140 acres.

For this expanded footprint, Kennywood has some bold ideas -- an indoor water park, a hotel and more roller coasters with more thrills to add to the attraction of a park famous for them. Already, according to an economic study commissioned by it, Kennywood Entertainment has a greater economic impact on the state than the Pirates or the Steelers.

If they come to fruition, the ideas being floated for the new land would make Kennywood a much bigger regional attraction, giving parks in Erie and Ohio a run for their money. The indoor water park has special appeal and appears a natural, given Kennywood Entertainment's experience in running the popular outdoor Sandcastle water park.

But this "blue sky" wish list is threatened by some darker clouds, as officials made clear. For the plans to go fully ahead, the park needs help in two areas. One is the need to eliminate or reduce the amount of amusement tax that Kennywood pays to West Mifflin, which is now paid handsomely for the dumb luck of geography.

The other is the completion of the northern portion of the Mon-Fayette Expressway, with an interchange on the toll road to allow Kennywood patrons to get in and out easily. This part of the highway project has been discussed endlessly and has moved with glacial pace in the face of its critics.

Here is more proof that the road project will provide a great benefit. As Kennywood goes, so go other businesses in the area.