VertiGo coming down for good

SANDUSKY, Ohio, March 6, 2002 – Cedar Fair, L.P. announced today that it will remove the VertiGo thrill rides from Challenge Park at Cedar Point amusement park/resort in Sandusky, Ohio, and Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif.

Both rides opened late last summer as extra-charge attractions. On January 14, a section of one of the three support columns on the VertiGo ride at Cedar Point unexpectedly fell to the ground. It caused minimal damage and there were no injuries. Cedar Point was closed for the season at the time of the incident.

A similar ride at Knott’s Berry Farm was closed immediately and has remained closed since then.

A section of the column was sent to an independent testing laboratory and is undergoing a battery of tests. To our knowledge, the numerous structural tests and engineering reviews are continuing, but at this time, have not been able to determine the definitive cause of the failure.

“We have decided to disassemble and remove the VertiGo rides from our parks,” said Richard L. Kinzel, president and CEO of Cedar Fair, L.P. “As extra-charge attractions, we believe the unfavorable perceptions resulting from the incident will negatively impact the popularity of the rides. With the opening of Cedar Point less than two months away and Knott’s Berry Farm nearing its peak season, we feel the best decision is to remove the rides from our parks.

“Cedar Fair has an excellent relationship with the manufacturer,” Kinzel added. “We welcome the opportunity to work with them on future projects.”