Centennial Olympic Park may be invaded by pirates by 2011. Although landlocked Atlanta does not have the rich pirate history of Amelia Island, a museum filled with pirate treasure is being planned for downtown. This building is reported to be constructed across from the Georgia Aquarium in Centennial Olympic Park. The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently reported that Atlanta businessman and lawyer, Richard Lea has purchased the former Good Samaritan Health Center under the name Pirate World, LLC and is planning to build this museum to add to a growing list of attractions in the park. The park is already home to the aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, the National Museum of Patriotism, Inside CNN and Imagine It, the Children’s Museum of Atlanta.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, the centerpiece of the museum would be a replica of the upper deck to a 90-foot-long pirate ship, including cannons. Mr. Lea is an avid treasure hunter and he will display his artifacts in the new museum called Pirate World. The museum would be geared largely to children and to adults with a passion for treasure hunting. It would also include a restaurant, probably called Buccaneer BBQ.