Pieces of Cedar Point's mystery ride revealed

Wednesday, 10 May 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - The mystery surrounding Cedar Point's project for 2007 continues to outshine the park's newest ride, Skyhawk.

This time a clue to what Cedar Point might be brewing for the former White Water Landing site is off the peninsula, though.

A large fenced-in area containing a blue tarp with something underneath -- possibly ride parts -- is in plain view from Cedar Point Drive. A crane is also within the enclosed area.

VIDEO: Watch exclusive video on Funcoast.com of roller coaster track sections being unloaded near Breakers Express.


A crane lifts a section of framework, that looks like part of a coaster-type track, from a semitrailer near the Breakers Express. The frame, along with others, was immediately covered with a tarp, though the unloading and lifting took place within plain sight of passers-by, many of whom joined in the speculation (not discouraged by Cedar Point) over whether the frame is part of whatever the park plans for the 2007 season. Register photo/JASON WERLING

Wednesday, a red coaster-looking ride part was being unloaded from a tractor-trailer with the crane. The part was as long as the bed of the semi.

A seasonal employee at Cedar Point and coaster enthusiast from Orlando, Fla., watched the unloading from the parking lot at Breakers Express.

The seasonal employee wouldn't give his name for fear of being fired for talking about the "top secret," but he's curious.

"I am trying to add two and two together faster than everyone else," the employee said.

Dave Chalfont gave his name because he's heading home later this week, he said, laughing. The Orlando resident said he's been waiting for the piece to be unloaded.

"You can tell it is track," Chalfont said.

But as usual, Cedar Point is having fun being a tease. The park isn't saying much about what's up with the blue tarp and its contents -- even with so much of it being done out in the open.

Park spokesman Bryan Edwards said Tuesday the fence was put up between Breakers Express and Quality Inn & Suite for storage purposes.

"We are going to use it for a storage area that will be needed for parts later in the year," he said.

Even with Wednesday's "part" sighting, park spokesman Robin Innes would only confirm the fenced area is for parts and materials.

Edwards didn't think the grassy site was getting a lot of attention, though.

But he acknowledged seeing the photos of a blue tarp with something red underneath it circulating the Internet.

When asked for some official detail and explanation, he declined.

"I can't say what it is," Edwards said.

Jim Sortino, president of S&S Realty, which owns Quality Inn & Suites, said he saw the fence going up a couple of weeks ago.

"I love the hype on it," Sortino said. "Whatever Cedar Point is going to do, it's going to be the best."

Sortino said what he saw looked like pieces for a track. It was red.

"Whatever it is, it has to be big if they aren't storing it at the park," Sortino said.

The impending retirement of Cedar Fair CEO and President Dick Kinzel after the 2007 season has those in the coaster world thinking big.

The world's first 500-foot coaster has been among the theories about what's in store for the fenced-in construction zone in the back of the park. Edwards wouldn't comment on that either. Sometime later this year, he said.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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