Haven't seen much mentioned around here about CLP since their historic ballroom was set ablaze by an arsonist who within the past week or 2 has been sentenced to rot in jail for a number of years and basically every cent he's worth will be going to the park along with some other stuff he was convicted of burning.
you will notice just about the entire park has reopened with the exception of the rides. They had an extremely successful and fairly profitable Halloween event and this X-mas event should be no different. So if anyone is in the area, please make it a point to stop by the park and show some support and maybe even stay in the recently reopened Hotel Conneaut which is one of the oldest hotels still around, having originally been built in 1893 and expanded into the current hotel in 1903. What is open not only at the hotel but throughout the park has been done with volunteer labor including most of the demolition and cleanup of the Dreamland Ballroom.
If you aren't going to be in the area, I strongly suggest showing support for the park by buying a token or 2 which details are listed at the bottom of their main page, $5 for a little piece of history and it all goes towards reopening the park fully, and with the progress so far, the rides shouldn't be to far behind. There is simply to much history at Conneaut Lake to let it just fade away, and anyone who's been there can attest to that, if you were to look past the decrepit shape of some of the parks infrastructure, which stems from debt incurred during a lengthy legal battle between the parks former manager who mismanaged money vs. the people of Conneaut Lake, PA, which the outcome was in case you all dont know is the park being held by a public trust which has been struggling for years to keep the park afloat.
Just thought I'd make light of what's happening there, I always enjoyed visiting CLP when I was in the area and hope to go back there one day and check out the Tumble Bug which was being refurbished for the few years I made it there but reopened shortly before the park closed again 2 years ago. Also Blue Streak is a really fun ride.
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
That is why I mentioned ice skating, Dark Knight and Loony Tunes performances done either inside or outside with people bundled up. A Christmas parade, toy drive, raffle for 2009 tickets, etc. There is a lot you can do even in Chicago winters. It will never happen but it is NOT impossible.
The best one was at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, rather than having supports, they contoured the ground. It was really cool, though to build their SLC they tore it out, got it's track supports out of storage and sent it to Southport which the closed the following year and trashed it. :/
Kennywood's is pretty neat, if any one heads over there, be sure not to miss it, along with the triumphant return of the Bayern Kurve in 2009.
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073
The only things that I'm missing on the east coast are funtown USA, canobie, quassy, and CLP, so I wasn't planning on going back out east for at least a year or two. If CLP reopens their wooden coaster, I will be going out there right away to ride it. I think they have a lot of support from Kennywood and Waldameer (not as sure about waldameer).
We are working with Ride Vendors to assist in getting the rides operational. The Blue Streak may not come online until the following year due to the additional work and repair expenses.
Operating hours for 2009 will be announced once the status and dates of the Park's opening have been determined.
Actually it's worth noting that I think I may send an email to the owner of the park volunteering my labor at a discounted rate for like one week per month to get the coaster up and running again. I know the basics of laying wood coaster track, and structure work is simple. I remember from my last ride on Blue Streak probably 5+ years ago, but that thing needs booster bents on some of the drops badly. It was pothole city
Favorite Wood Coasters: The Voyage, Ravine Flyer II, Thunderhead, Balder Favorite Steel: Voltron Nevera, Steel Vengeance, Expedition GeForce, Olympia Looping Parks visited: 232, Coasters Ridden: Steel: 894, Wood: 179, Total: 1073