Themes of 鈥渨ild energy鈥� and 鈥渆lectrifying speed鈥� emerged in a contest to name Playland鈥檚 new roller coaster in East Vancouver.
From more than 3,000 ideas submitted, the winning ride name is ThunderVolt, PNE officials announced Wednesday, Nov. 22.
The $16-million ride, currently under construction, will open in 2024 on land previously occupied by the .
The contract was estimated at $9 million last November when considered 鈥渢he largest single attraction investment made by Playland.鈥�
The new roller coaster at will be called ThunderVolt, to thrill riders starting next year.
鈥� Tom Zillich (@TomZillich)
The $16M Italian-made ride is shown here in drone video of construction.
The ride is built by the Italian company Zamperla, which also designed the Skybender at Playland.
The ThunderVolt will carry 12 passengers at a time 鈥渢hrough a supernatural environment with extraordinary animals, graphics and lighting that pulses as the ride system charges, leading up to its launch,鈥� raves a PNE news release.
鈥淭he three-car train blasts off with 1.3 G鈥檚 of acceleration through an illuminated tunnel, up a steep incline before an 18-metre drop.鈥�
Next year, before the ride opens to the general public, PNE Season Pass Holders, contest winners and other VIPs will get to experience ThunderVolt at an exclusive party.
Starting Dec. 8, the PNE Winter Fair will return with holiday lights, live music, skating and 鈥淚ce Bumper Cars鈥� on a Tim Hortons-sponsored rink and 鈥淣utcracker on Ice鈥� at Pacific Coliseum. .
