The Gravity Group announces new coaster for Big Chief's

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The Gravity Group released this statement today:

Cincinnati, Ohio (January 23, 2004) - The Gravity Group, LLC has begun design work on a large wooden roller coaster project. The roller coaster, deemed Hades, will open in the spring of 2005 at Big Chief Mount Olympus Theme Park in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Hades will be constructed in-house by the park and will be the fourth and largest wooden roller coaster in the park's collection. Nick Laskaris, the park's owner, describes the ride as huge compared to anything else in the region. The new ride will dominate the park's skyline, which is already defined by the park's three existing wooden roller coasters: Zeus (1997), Cyclops (1995) and Pegasus (1996). Gravity Group member Larry Bill was the head engineer for each of these rides.

The Gravity Group, LLC is comprised of the former Custom Coasters, Inc. engineering team and carries with it the design experience from over 45 wooden roller coasters worldwide. Since its inception in August of 2002, The Gravity Group, LLC has completed many engineering consulting projects for the industry, including foundation and structural design for amusement rides. The Gravity Group, LLC offers complete and customizable solutions to bring wooden roller coasters to amusement parks worldwide.

Link: The Gravity Group

Related parks

Mount Olympus Theme Park

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I'm sorry, but am I the only one who thinks that Someone will have a problem with the name? I mean, people had a problem with Banshee, Demon, and others, you really think Hades will fly? I don't have a problem, just want to know what ya'll think.

Well Demon is still around so I don't think it'll be anything to huff about...I still think CP changing Banshee's name to Mantis because of the religious affiliations or whatever was a scapegoat. :)

I agree, Legendary, but you know there is going to be someone that has a problem with the name. actually, there are quite a few demons out there, and I've ridden one. Even CP has a Demon named ride. This, though, could be a bit risque'.

All I have to say is finally another coaster in Wisconsin. Maybe BC will do a little more over the years to make it full fledged theme park. The next question would be when will SixFlags buy it. LOL. Anyways they sure have a unique theme working for them.

I highly doubt that the size of this ride will be over 125'. CCI never made anything bigger (although, I guess Boss somehow drops 140') and while I know GG is a new and different company, I would have to think GG will stick to what they used to do best, and somehow not go broke doing it.

As for wood versus steel structure, it matters not to me. I whole-heartedly loved MegaZeph (most underrated CCI, IMHO) for some reason I somewhat disliked Legend. (I only rode Legend with the G trains, in 2000). So I don't think it has anything to do with the structure, more has to do with the layout and trains. The G trians worked well on MegaZeph (double out and back), but ruined Legend (a freeform).

Whatever Big Chief's has ordered, it will be good.

What most of you have missed during the arguments of build time is that it is being built in-house by BC. This is the first time they are doing this so it will take them longer to do it than if they had someone who has built a wooden coaster from scratch before.

I was in the Dell's a few weeks ago and some major structual work is done. A HUGE tunnel, I'd say at least 250ft long has been built and the coaster will run through the tunnel twice. Once in each direction. What look's like will be the lift hill just before the drop into the tunnel is mostly up. also a smaller bunny hill attatched to it is partially constructed. Some wooden trackwork on the steel superstructure is in place on both. Also, The coaster will first exit the mammoth tunnel out by the roadside and travel up a significant size hill and twist and drop back into the tunnel. This structure currently has a banner hanging atop it saying "comming in 2005, the worlds...." I'm guessing longest tunnel on a rollercoaser if you count the track length that runs through it. But thats just a wild guess. Cyclop's and Zues are great rides and It will be cool to see them get something a bit longer...as far as track length. They've done alot of clearing through the wood's so this should be a good one.

I don't think people will have a problem with a name. They are just going with the Greek mythology theme. Last time I went through there they had some pretty good progress. This is going to be an extra bonus with the merger of big chief and the waterpark.

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