Guessing game goes on

Friday, 05 May 2006

Cedar Point's mystery site rivals Skyhawk debut in terms of buzz; here's some more.

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Skyhawk may be the new ride at Cedar Point this year, but what's possibly under construction for 2007 is all the talk.

Cedar Point isn't detailing the future of the former White Water Landing ride area, but the park isn't hiding the bulldozers and dirt moving either.

Coaster enthusiasts who attended Thursday's Media Day for the Skyhawk relished every bit of the tease, too.

Even though it was obvious the sneak peak was part Cedar Point's plan to generate excitement, the impending retirement of Cedar Fair CEO and President Dick Kinzel after the 2007 season didn't stop everyone from having fun with the rumors.

A 500-foot coaster, dueling coasters and the joke of Cedar Point just improving the landscaping are among the theories about the fenced-in construction zone in the back of the park.

Parent company Cedar Fair recently trademarked the name, "Maverick."


What appear to be pilings for the frame of whatever Cedar Point is building rise from the water at the former White Water Landing site near Frontiertown. Guessing what will go there has been a popular pastime among ride fans, and the park has received a lot of free publicity from the guessing game. (Register photo/JASON WERLING)
"I am going with the word, 'coaster,'" said Chelsea Rockhold, member of the Great Ohio Coaster Club.

But her father, Brian Rockhold, said whatever they guess, it's going to be wrong.

Sean Flaharty, member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts, stood peering at the site, becoming known as "Project 2007," with his friends.

"Whatever it is, in true Cedar Point fashion, the park always builds quality things," he said.

Jerry Fleming, also of ACE, has tattoos of Cedar Point coasters all over his body. Next year, he might have to consider adding another one.

"I think it will be a big one," Fleming said.

Josh Chaney said he's wondering what's going on at the site -- and that's just what Cedar Point wants him to do.

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