Getting into the swing of things

Thursday, 09 February 2006

Cedar Point Press Release

SANDUSKY, Ohio, 2006 – Although it is the middle of winter, Cedar Point amusement park/resort is getting ready for a new season of summer fun! Workers are busy putting the finishing touches on Cedar Point’s latest thrill ride, Skyhawk. When completed, this extreme variation of a backyard swing will be the tallest ride of its kind in the world.

Site clearing for Skyhawk began immediately after the park closed for the 2005 season on Oct. 30. The park’s newest thrill machine is located in Frontiertown, adjacent to the Snake River Falls water ride. A wide variety of contractors are contributing to the construction process of Skyhawk, including steel erectors, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, crane operators and concrete finishers. Days before Christmas, during the coldest week in December, Skyhawk’s top steel section was lifted into place. Even though temperatures and wind chills were numbing, the construction stayed on schedule.

“With the major steel supports and most of the ride currently in place, we’re right on time to debut Skyhawk on Opening Day, May 6,” said Gary Gast, director of facilities, construction and special projects in the Maintenance Division at Cedar Point. “The Ohio weather has been relatively cooperative this winter and the crews have been working diligently to finish the ride.”

In the weeks to come, workers will begin several critical steps to prepare the ride for initial testing. Connections will be made for utilities, underground electrical lines will be run, ride control systems will be installed, landscaping will be groomed around the ride area and concrete will be poured on the midway and inside the ride area itself. With these necessary projects completed, Skyhawk could start swinging for the first time in March.

When finished, Skyhawk will feature two giant swinging arms, each 84 feet in length, with 20 seats on each arm. Each set of 20 seats will consist of two rows of 10 seats, positioned back to back, that will provide each rider with a “front row” view. Using pneumatic technology similar to that used on Power Tower, riders will be thrilled as they are pushed toward the sky, then experience weightlessness as they reverse direction and rush back toward the ground. At the peak of the arc, riders on Skyhawk will be more than 125 feet in the air and will reach speeds of 60 mph in both directions.

The $6 million ride will give nearly 800 rides an hour. Each ride will be approximately two minutes long. (Guests must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Skyhawk.)

Several other projects in that area are also on their way to completion. A new lighting package, featuring light posts and accent lighting around the Skyhawk ride area and the Town Hall Museum, is being installed. The Town Hall Museum and Frontiertown Gazebo will receive fresh coats of paint. Also, the rest rooms adjacent to Skyhawk and the Cedar Creek Mine Ride are being refurbished.

In addition to Skyhawk construction, work on the expansion of the Cedar Point Marina is also continuing. The marina is adding three floating piers to the South Harbor. Electrical lines are being run to the piers, brush and trees are being cleared and a new sidewalk is being poured. When finished, the Cedar Point Marina will have 742 slips (643 permanent and 99 transient), including 77 new slips for permanent dock-holders and an 85-space parking lot north of the North Harbor.

Guests will have their first chance to ride Skyhawk when Cedar Point opens for its 137th season on Saturday, May 6.

For more information about Skyhawk and Cedar Point, guests can log onto cedarpoint.com or call the park’s information line at 419.627.2350. For more information about the Cedar Point Marina, guests can call 419.627.2334.