Playland has always been a staple in my life. It is on my “must-see” list every Summer. I have fond memories of going with my family, and later as a teen. We would go on rainy days so there were shorter lines for the rides. One of my favourite rides has always been the Wooden Coaster. I’m sure many of you noticed, the Coaster was out of commission last year. Luckily it was a temporary closure and it is now open!
PLAYLAND WOODEN COASTER REOPENS FOLLOWING $1 MILLION RETROFIT
Considered one of the greatest wooden coasters in the world today, the Playland Wooden Coaster has won countless accolades including Coaster Classic and Coaster Landmark from the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world’s leading Coaster enthusiast organization. Over the past twelve months, the Playland Wooden Coaster has undergone the most extensive retrofit in its 64-year history, including undergoing the addition of lap belts in the train to meet incoming safety standards.
The Coaster is a “living” structure, made entirely of wood outside of the friction plates where the train’s metal wheels meet the frame of the ride structure. “Since 1958 thrill seekers from across British Columbia, Canada and around the globe have made the pilgrimage to pay homage to one of the greatest amusement rides ever constructed, the Playland Wooden Coaster,” says PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance. “This retrofit will ensure that this special piece of global ride history is ready to celebrate its 65th birthday in 2023 as well as many more decades thrilling Playland guests.”
The international engineering team assembled to complete the extensive project sought to ensure the signature Playland Wooden Coaster ambience of yesteryear was retained and respected in the modern retrofit. An old-world, all-time classic, the Playland Coaster has a gritty ambience and rough and tumble exterior. Hobbyists’ and fans who’ve braved the Coaster are familiar with the dramatic and unsuspected jerk of motion as the sixteen-passenger train is locked into position on the uptake chain at the base of the first hill. The clicking sound that follows is as universally known by Coaster fans as the stomach-churning first hill plunge and the camel-hop drops that are as signature to the ride as the picture of its iconic, skeletal frame set against the Vancouver skyline.
2021/2022 COASTER RETROFIT FAST FACTS
- Over 1,200 lengths of structural grade Douglas Fir have been installed – this equates to over 12,000 feet of lumber
- More than 4,700 man-hours have been invested in this project
- Engineering lead on the project is: Martin and Vleminckx Rides (MVR) a world leader in the design, manufacturing, fabrication, installation and restoration of wooden roller coasters
- MVR is globally known for constructing the very first, all-wood, barrel-roll roller coaster in Jinan, China
- MVR has constructed thirteen new wooden roller coasters, worldwide, in the last 10 years, including: China, Australia and across North America
PLAYLAND WOODEN COASTER FAST FACTS
- The Playland Wooden Coaster was built throughout 1957 and early 1958
- Opened in 1958 • The Coaster was designed by Carl Phare
- Head of construction was Walker LeRoy • The train is made up of eight two-person cars (total capacity: 16)
- Maximum speed of trains – 45 mph • Maximum track height – 75 feet at highest point (1st hill)
- Track length is 5/8th of a mile
- Ride time is 90 seconds
- Coaster rides an average of 1/2 million guests annually
- The Coaster is powered by a 75 hp electric motor which lifts the 16 3 passenger-specially designed train up the first hill. Once each train passes over the first hill, it is driven through a series of climbs, dips, banks, horseshoe turns and a classic reverse curve only by the law of gravity
- Original cost of construction: $200,000
- Built entirely from Douglas Fir
- Listed as an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) – “Coaster Classic” and “Coaster Landmark”
RENOWNED ITALIAN RIDE DESIGNER ZAMPERLA TO BUILD NEWEST PARK RIDE
In addition to the return of the Coaster, Playland added something new to the park. One of the world’s most respected amusement ride design and construction companies, Zamperla, was commissioned to build Playland’s newest ride, Skybender.
We are very excited to add a new thrill ride to our Playland ride lineup. Skybender is unlike anything currently available in Canada and is one of the few rides anywhere in the world offering a single rider experience.”PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost.
Skybender features a spectacular light package, dynamic action sequences and a thrilling combination of gravity drops and accelerations. With a total price of $2.7 million Skybender represents the most significant investment into Playland in five years.
2022 also marks the retirement of the Crazy Beach Party and the classic Music Express ride, whose catch phrase “do you wanna go faster” was known to generations of Playland riders. The Music Express had reached the end of its lifecycle, so it was removed and recycled, making way for the addition of Skybender and other exciting park improvements in this and coming years.
Stay tuned to Playland and PNE social media for more information. Twitter: @PNE_Playland Instagram: @pne_playland Facebook PNE.Playland
For more information about the 2022 Playland season or to purchase tickets visit: www.PNE.ca/playland/
About the PNE
Owned by the City of Vancouver, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) is a healthy and vibrant non-profit organization dedicated to delivering over 3 million visitors a year with memorable experiences through access to first-class cultural, music, sporting and family entertainment events, as well as access to public space for passive recreation. Founded in 1910, the PNE’s home is Hastings Park, a multi-facility venue in Vancouver where the organization manages four activity streams: the annual PNE Fair, Playland Amusement Park, Park Care and Facility Maintenance and an expansive portfolio of year-round events. All revenues generated are invested back into park space, community programs and non-revenue generating educational and entertainment experiences.
