By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News
news@kcautv.com
Arnolds Park IA. Arnolds Park Amusement Park "Legend Roller Coaster" is undergoing some renovations. Work is underway to replace 575 linear feet of track and catwalk, along with adding several concrete footings just below the "Point of No Return".
A survey was completed by Great Coasters International, Inc., that provided a profile of our coaster and what could be done to make it one of the best (smoother) wooden coasters in the country. And with the Legend reaching the ripe old age of 86 years, the Board of Directors and staff at Arnolds Park had an additional, more pointed survey completed. An additional evaluation was done on the 1,492 feet of wooden track and the structure that supports it. During the survey it was determined that the coaster is still in excellent shape as a whole, but the overall ride quality would be greatly improved and the speed would be increased if the "Point of No Return" drop were reconfigured to a smoother more flowing angle. Along with that, the bottom of the second drop could be raised slightly to improve ride quality and allow for updated concrete footings as well as ease of future maintenance.
These changes will affect 1/3 of the total track length and will be the first of four planned projects over the next several years. This first phase will be completed prior to opening in the spring of 2013. "We are looking forward to this improvement as we have been planning some significant updates to the Legend for a few years," said Scott Pyle, General Manager at Arnolds Park. "The cost of this project is just over $250,000 and for us that is a big expense. Our staff and Board have been working very hard planning and budgeting for this renovation."
"The Legend Roller Coaster is our #1 attraction, so we know our visitors love it as much as we do. We are planning to continue with more updates as we move into the future so she can thrill our guests for another 86 years," said Di Lorenzen, Communications Manager.
