Bell's Coaster Update

In today's Tulsa World:

(Summary)
Bell's Amusement Park won a victory Tuesday in its fight to build a new roller coaster when the controversial case was sent back to Tulsa County District Court.

The appeals court ruled that the "Tulsa County zoning laws clearly allow the Board to grant the special exception to Bell's" to build the ride.

The appeals court reversed a summary judgment and sent the case back to district court for a trial.

"I'm happy about the decision and look forward to carrying the case forward." said Robby Bell president of Bell's.

I wonder if that coaster will finally come to fruition, if not in 2004 then in 2005. If we could only see that and Waldameer's coaster built after all these years of planning!

As much as I'd like to see a new woodie at Bells I really wish the park had the money to move to a new location. There are some nice rolling hills on the outskirts of Tulsa that would make for a beautiful new park. In it's current location the park is landlocked and has NIMBY neighbors.

mOOSH - will keep fingers crossed anywho.

Could this be the first GG coaster? I know Bells and Waldemeer are in contact but both facing problems getting aproval

Chuck

It'd be nice to see them get some work... why Denise and S&S seem to be getting all of the projects out there is beyond me.

mOOSH, I agree that it'd be nice if the park decided to move to a location more condusive to an amusement park, but I can't help but think that a move would spell the end for Zingo. Maybe I'm wrong about the park's owners, but I could imagine the Zingo getting demolished and a new wooden coaster being built at a new location.

Let the good times roll, indeed. Thanks Zingo for the info. I had to wipe my eyes and pinch myself to make sure I wasn't hallucinating or still asleep when I read this thread's title. I can't wait for details to unfold...

Seems to me that at one time the park was looking at moving and renaming to something like 'Bell's Boomtown'. Down side to relocation is losing the state fair business.
Glad things are starting to go the park's way.

The reason GCII & S&S are getting the projects is simple- turn-key. They can both offer a complete package while, as I understand it, GG offers a design, then the park has to shop around for a contractor.

Adam

Ahh, so the park would have to go to, say, RCCA or Intamin? Or built it themselves (as Silverwood did)?

I wonder if Robby will let me do it?

I have been the construction engineer / manager for several large projects (over $150 million). Unfortunately, I don't have any roller coasters on my construction resume.

But how hard can it be if someone else does the construction plans. - I mean, most of us have built that Knex coaster. :-)

*** Edited 12/10/2003 9:42:11 PM UTC by Zingo*** *** Edited 12/10/2003 9:42:56 PM UTC by Zingo***

Let me know when they ask you to build it... I can use a hammer ;)

Ya know...if I had a hammer I'd hammer in the morning. I'd hammer in the evening. All over this land. ;)

mOOSH

Yes I believe that is true about GG and construction. However I don't think they just leave it up to the park. I think are in the works with 1 or more construction companies.

Not sure what the answer is but I bet it is blowing in the wind. (just trying to tie into moosh's bit of tom-foolery)

John B.

Better than blowing against the wind, Jim ;)

I might be able to help but I think I need smaller hammer. This nine pound hammer is just a little too heavy, Buddy, for my size, Now for my size :)

Matthew,

Many many years ago, Bell's proposed moving to a new location over near Broken Arrow somewhere. At that time, the indications were that they would not take ZINGO with them. I don't remember what happened, but they obviously ended up not moving.

While I think it would be great if Bell's could move to a Knoebels-like setting or an Arnold's Park-type setting, with lots of room for expansion, it's also nice to have Bell's remain an in-town park. What the fairgrounds should do is buy out all the NIMBY neighbors, expand and improve the fairgrounds, making it a well-rounded entertainment center -- including an expanded Bell's.

Ok, here is the latest.....

district Judge David Peterson is scheduled to hear oral arguments on March 28, 2005 in the Bell's Amusement Park roller coaster case.

Not much more news to report than that. Maybe by late Spring we will finally have a decision in regard to this case.

well at least they are making progress. The park really does need a new coaster. I think the biggest thing holding back the park are those blasted NIMBY neighbors, like Moosh stated. I know several of us would be thrilled to have a park like Bell's in our backyards.

Hey Swoosh,

Maybe if they ever start construction, I can take the pictures and send them to you for your web site. I have a camera, but don't know a thing about web sites.

Last I talked with Robby Bell, he didn't know exactly what they were going to do if they get approval. They might not build a wooden coaster after all - he mentioned a spinning coaster. But he has also said they already had the plans for the CCI coaster - so who knows.

I'm suppose to give him a call to try to set up a physics day partnership with Bell's and OSPE - maybe he will shed some more light on their plans then.