MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – Quassy Amusement Park will be making tracks, in a matter of speaking, as the landmark property will construct its first all wooden roller coaster.
The yet unnamed ride is part of a projected $5 million multi-year plan to update equipment and infrastructure at the lakeside park, Quassy owners announced today.
In addition to the roller coaster, Quassy will add a 35-foot drop tower ride in the amusement park and a "Bullet Bowl" water raft attraction at "Saturation Station," Quassy's interactive family water play area.
"The new coaster will actually be a replacement for our aging steel 'Mad Mouse,'" said Eric Anderson, a Quassy co-owner. "The steel coaster will come down once the new ride is in place in another area of the park."
"These projects will be phased in over the next three years," Anderson added. "We hope to have the drop tower ride, which will be built in Italy, on site for next year and construction for the coaster could begin as early as this year, or perhaps next spring."
The three-phased plan is the largest in the history of the 101-year-old park, which is owned by the Frantzis family and Anderson. This marks the 72nd year the Frantzis family has been involved at Quassy.
"It's not so much an expansion plan as it is updating," owner George Frantzis II said. "We're investing in the future of the property. These projects are necessary for us to remain competitive, and in the amusement park business you have to feature a family roller coaster."
First Coaster In Waterbury Area In Years
The last wooden roller coaster to operate in the Waterbury, Conn., area was located at the city's Lakewood Park. Built in 1930, the coaster lasted only a few years before being dismantled and moved to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H. for the 1936 season. The ride continues to operate in New Hampshire today.
"Our new roller coaster will be a family ride – one parents and grandparents alike can ride with children," Frantzis asserted. "It will not be an extreme or white-knuckle experience – that is not who and what we are."
Designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Quassy coaster will have 1,200 feet of track and be 35 feet at its highest point. Due to the topography where the coaster will be located, the ride will actually drop around 40 feet obtaining a maximum speed of 35 mph. One three-car train with a capacity of 12 persons will run the course.
The coaster's station will be located near the "Big Flush" ride with the incline constructed on the old entrance road to the park. The coaster will drop into the lawn area behind the "Grand Carousel" where it will make its turnaround and head up and over the park's train tracks. Engineers from The Gravity Group were able to present a design which will not disrupt the tree line along both sides of Quassy old entrance.
"We didn't want to take away from the natural beauty those trees provide as you enter the park," Anderson said. "Fortunately, we'll be able to preserve that feature and have this beautiful structure fit in."
"It's a family coaster, but will be an exciting ride," Anderson continued. "Adding to the excitement will be two crossovers on the train tracks, plus a series of airtime hops. This will be a great modern replacement for the steel coaster."
The roller coaster will be constructed of all treated lumber. The vendor for the coaster train has yet to be named by the park.
At least four other coaster manufacturers from around the world presented proposals to Quassy.
"They (Gravity Group) came in with a couple of designs that immediately caught our eye," Anderson noted. "These engineers have a real passion for their trade and The Gravity Group has designed and built some of the best rides of the genre."
Community Service Event And Schools
Once completed, Quassy will host an auction for the first ride or series of rides on the new roller coaster. Beneficiaries of the coaster auction will be Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut and the Connecticut Food Bank.
"Part of our strategy since we started talking about the coaster project several years ago was to have an auction for the first ride," Frantzis said. "Our initiative will support these great organizations which serve the communities that support the park."
In addition, Quassy will hold a "Name The Roller Coaster" contest among local and area schools. The class that submits the name selected to be used on the coaster will be invited to the park for the grand opening. In addition, the winning school will receive a quantity of park passes to use for fundraising.
Time To Retire The 'Mad Mouse'
The "Mad Mouse," also known as the "Monster" roller coaster, has been operating at Quassy Amusement Park since 1983. The all-steel ride operated at Playland in Rye, N.Y., following delivery in 1967 from the manufacturer, the Allan Herschell Co., of North Tonawanda, N.Y.
When Quassy purchased the coaster and moved it from New York, it replaced the "Wild Mouse," a similar ride Quassy installed in 1960.
"The Herschell coaster is a great classic ride, and it will be missed," Anderson said of the ride that will be replaced. "It's becoming a challenge to keep the ride operating because of its age and Quassy greatly needs a marquee coaster to replace it."
"If you ask people what they like about visiting amusement parks, it's roller coasters," Frantzis said of the business. "Our new waterpark helped us remain competitive seven years ago, and this coaster will have the same impact in forging a future for Quassy."
While Anderson and Frantzis are uncertain of what will become of the "Mad Mouse," the fact is that the coaster will be torn down once the new ride is completed.
"It might be sold to another park, but who knows?" Anderson added.
Quassy's other roller coaster is the "Little Dipper," a children's ride that came to the park in 1952 from the Herschell firm. It is one of the oldest operating steel roller coasters in the world and has delighted generations of guests. It operates to this day in the three-ride Herschell Kiddyland adjacent to the redemption arcade.
The Drop Tower
The family drop tower ride will be located near the "Grand Carousel" where the park's ticket booth was once located. With a circular seating arrangement, the ride will lift 12 persons to the top of the tower before releasing the ring of seats in a series of thrilling drops.
A number of Italian manufacturers have presented proposals to the park for consideration.
"We really have the SBF Visa Group of Italy in our sights to build this new ride," said Anderson. "The European ride manufacturing and safety testing procedures are second to none, so we know we will get a great product."
Waterpark Project
The proposed "Bullet Bowl" water raft ride will be located where the "Mad Mouse" coaster currently stands. The new attraction will be part of the "Saturation Station" interactive family water play area and add yet another element to the popular waterpark.
"It will be an attractive piece to have in that location and complement the beach and existing waterpark," Frantzis said of the ride manufactured by ProSlide Technology of Canada.
Riders will climb into rafts from a loading platform about 28 feet above the park before plunging down a trough into a huge bowl with swirling water. Rafters will spin around the bowl before being discharged through another trough to the landing area. Economic Impact
Quassy's plan is expected to have positive economic impact throughout the area as well.
"Regional accommodations that package vacation stays with us realize the value of having modern attractions nearby," Frantzis explained. "These partnerships have grown extensively over the past couple of years, and much of that can be attributed to the park's progressive nature in updating, yet preserving a family atmosphere."
"The impact tourist attractions have on the business climate locally is very substantial," the park owner added. "Visitors not only pay for accommodations, but also meals at restaurants, gasoline and a variety of other goods and services. We're happy to recommend to our guests local places to go out to dinner and other places of interest – we do that on virtually a daily basis when we're open."
"The unique thing here is that we have been careful to preserve the nostalgia of Quassy while making essential updates," Anderson interjected. "Change has been necessary – especially over the past few years – to remain competitive. At the same time, we've continued with a good balance of the old and the new. Everyday we hear guests comment about the classic rides like the 'Tilt-A-Whirl' and 'Little Dipper' coaster, and at the same time compliment us for having the initiative to build 'Saturation Station.'"
"The improvements have also increased the value of the property, and that weighs heavily into tax dollars we provide to the town and state," Frantzis added. "We also employ hundreds of students during the summer, which also feeds the local economy."
For more about The Gravity Group visit www.thegravitygroup.com.
For more about ProSlide Technology visit www.proslide.com.
For more information about Quassy Amusement Park visit www.quassy.com.