Nor Easter 2007

[mrceagle]

Since I live right of Rt 13 To get to this years Nor Easter event at Lake Compounce I had to drive by what used to be Whalom park. Only 2 buildings remain. They site as grim reminder of a once thriving amusement park. Now there is just emptiness.

 

 

 

Despite a few side trips we got to Lake Compounce at 5 past 12. To our surprise we were greeted by a member of security who said likely the best world I have heard in years. “The event has been moved to the ball room. Please drive through the park and park by the ball room.” So I did as requested

 

 

 

How’s this for a parking space!

 

 

We used the back section of the ballroom. The bar, which I regret seeing removed, is gone and 2 conference style rooms are in its place. We gathered in the larger conference room which had Speakers, televisions, and a projector installed. The sales display was set up in the adjoining room while food was set up in the hall. First off was a quick introduction from Peg Batchelder.

 

We got a few updates from neighboring regional reps from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. When they were done talking about upcoming regional events we invited Up Jerry Brick to talk about Lake Compounce.

 

Lake Compounce

The road will begin the move in 2007 and the new road should be complete by very late 2007 or early 2008. They then need to remove the current road. That will take place in 2008. They then have to grade the land so that it's even with the water park now. This will likely take into 2009. Jerry hopes that the City will put up the 3 million, in the form of a bond, needed for this project. The water park will not get an expansion till The road is moved. So The water park expansion will likely take place around 2010.

 

The water park will not to 100% built in 2010 but the 1st of around 4 fazes. You'll likely see the park return to the dry park addition water park addition trend they have had over the last couple years.

 

The old Paddle wheeler was Sold to a School in GA and replaced by a 40 person pontoon boat. This boat is allot more maneuverable and will allow for a much higher capacity. That should help improve guests’ experience.

 

2008 we will likely not see a ride but other improvements. Since rides, the road, and water park additions have been so much of a focused the little thing have been placed on hold. The hope for 2008 would be to work on those little things, capacity problems around the park for example. One plan talked about was a rehab of the Ghost hunt ride. This would include upgrading the ride to 4 passenger cares which would cut back on lines.

 

While Jerry was the only park representative at the event updates were presented Using information collected from the parks by Peg, Assistant Regional Rep Mike Thompson and Donna Piper, Kevin Coutermarsh and myself (Michael Coutermarsh).

 

Funtown/Splashtown USA

Mike talked about the new additions for Splashtown coming in 2007. The park plans on adding 2 slides from Pro slides, both starting from a 70ft platform. They are adding a Tornado water slide and a family raft slide. With the global worming weather we had the slides are installed and only awaiting a few final touches before they can open to the public.

 

Canobie Lake Park

Peg read a press release and I filled in some loose ends when it cam to Canobie. The new ride for 2007 is Xtreme Frisbee. It is a Huss Frisbee that will swing 63ft high and carry 40 passengers at a time.

 

The park also replaced its main gate entrance area. The new entrance is better then twice the length of the old one. The entrance sports a NH cottage theme with rock bases wood siding. The new entrance will also holds a new Gift shop and new bathrooms. The old bathrooms will be converted into expanded locker space for the park. A new court yard was set up with the new entrance. The park moved a 75ft tree to make a new centerpiece for it. A new Popcorn box themed stand was also added to the park this year.

 

The parks Matterhorn ride is being removed A new ride should be in soon but will likely be a 2008 addition with parts showing up in 2007. The Matterhorn is being removed do to a problem with the runners the cost to repair the ride just isn’t practical for the park do to its age.

 

Story Land

Heritage NH is closed as of the end of 2006. The park has some hope of opening it back up in a new location. There are no plans worked out as of this time.

 

As of this time the park has no mediate plans for the 2007 season. They may not add a ride this year but hope to brake ground on There next themed area.

 

Santa’s Village

The park is not sure what it is up to for this year. There were plans to get an adult tower ride and a family tower ride but the park seems to be looking for alternatives that would give them a better capacity.

 

Building up the parks overall capacity will be an overall focus for the park over the next few years. A new larger nicks Pizzeria and a Main street are possible future projects.

 

Quassy

The popular “Bumper Cars” and “Tilt-A-Whirl” rides have both received major facelifts for 2007. The bumper cars are getting a 50’s theme make over. The park is also adding the Lakeside Theatre stage which will host many shows and events.

 

Six Flags New England

The park will welcome 2 new character franchises in 2007. The wiggles will be added to the park and take the place of the existing Tiny Timber Town. Thomas town will be Built in the parking lot and be the parks 3rd kids area. Coldstone Creamery will also be added to the parks food selection.

 

With the event being hosted at Lake Compounce we were able to do a park walkthrough. Which didn’t seem so special after driving through it! But I got some great pictures of boulderdash’s Track work, which is being dome by GCI.

 

The new Mag brakes for Wildcat:

 

This is were the spinning coaster would have gone:

 

The SBF made Rainbow Riders ride will go here:

 

Caterpillar trains new location:

 

The work on Boulderdash

 

The new Zoomer’s Gas and Go

 

Lots of park picks:

 

We like in past Nor Easter events had games, do prizes, and mush more. The event went longer then expected but the park wasn’t going out of there way to kick us out. The Auction weren’t especially well thanks to one ace member who brought in vintage park posters. I got one for Cincinnati’s Coney Island. I don’t know the amount of money raised but I would guess it was more then $300 and a couple of the bid upon posters were in turn donated to the coaster museum.

 

The evening for me and my group didn’t wrap up till around 7:30. I was able to take my time leaving and take some really good night shots of the park

[Jayjay719]

Awesome pictures! Looks like it was a good time. I can't wait for the LC tour I'm going to next month!

[mrceagle]

Ya you guys got the upper hand being later in Spring. It should be warmer and the Rainbow rider should be in.

[Jayjay719]

Yeah I'm looking forward to it! It's goin to be wierd condsidering I'm going to Great Advanture the 6th of April. So the offseason won't be in effect with me lol.

[mrceagle]

Ya that would do it. The North east dose have a very varied opening schedule for our parks.

[Zoominator]

Those Lake Compounce pictures are interesting. I've never seen pictures of the park during winter before. I hope I can go there again this summer.

[mrceagle]

It is a very different sensation. It was a little less for me since this is my second time through the park while it was closed for winter. I did a tour 2 years back.

 

But I hope you do get there this summer. if your in ACE this year we will have a Summer Event at LC likely in July. Nothing like Nighttime ERT on Boulderdash.