NEWS: South Pier(Blackpool) to build flume ride

[Airtime&Gravity]

A BLACKPOOL favourite is coming back to the resort with the construction of a £1m log flume ride at South Pier.

The water-based coaster was one of the most popular attractions at the Pleasure Beach before it was closed to make way for thrill ride Infusion at the end of the 2006 season.

 

But a version of the roller coaster is lining up its Blackpool comeback just in time for Easter weekend.

 

Peter Sedgwick, whose family runs all the rides on Blackpool's three piers, said: "We have brought the new ride in from Spain at a cost of £1m as we know how popular log flumes are with families.

 

"This is our big investment for the summer and will give a new look to what we already have at the pier.

 

"We're building it on land next to the pier because the weather has made things difficult and thankfully the council have let us put it on the Prom but we plan to get it on the pier, in place of where the old Wild Mouse ride was, within a month.

 

"With Easter coming up, we wanted to bring in a family favourite and everybody loves water rides."

 

The Pleasure Beach's log flume took two years to build from 1965 with 20 engineers, painters and carpenters working on the ride.

 

In comparison work began erecting the new log flume yesterday and it should be ready for Good Friday.

 

It is 600m long and includes two descents, one which is 12m high. It will hold 80 tonnes of water.

 

His company has worked with pier owners Six Piers who have part funded the construction.

 

A Six Piers spokesman said: "The log flume is a real family favourite and it's great it will be ready for action for Easter weekend. The land at the side of the pier is its temporary home and, after the weekend, the intention is to transfer it onto South Pier head as a permanent attraction."

 

 

 

Blackpool Gazette

 

 

I assume it will be a log flume like this:

 

 

If it is (and even if it isn't) a portable flume, it should be a good addition, especially with Blackpool's having been removed. The one at Taste of Chicago, which is the one in the second photo, is one of my favorite log flumes. It might be short, but it has soaked me more than probably any other log flume I've been on.

[Coaster Cow]

I'm guessing this will go where the spinning mouse was, as it was being dismantled when I went there a year ago, unless that space has already been taken. Anyone around there know?