In the news article about The Idora Coasters, Rob Ascough mentioned Americana and Whalom Parks. I know Americana is SBNO, but what about Whalom? Can anyone give me info? Thanks!
------------- Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
I think it's also SBNO. They had a little blurb in the ACE newsletter about that.
There is no word on whether or not Whalom is closing for good, but it will not be opening this year. Just keep your fingers crossed! ------------- Do you hear the Rumble at the Lake?......BoulderDash!
If the park does close, wdo you think they will allow their coaster to suffer the same fate of the Idora rides, or will some park take it?
------------- Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
If Whalom Park does not open, I hope that another park will quickly purchase the ride and relocate it. I never rode the Comet Flyer, but I recall it being a similar design to the Riverside/Six Flags New England Thunderbolt, which I recall being a fun ride.
Unlike the Idora coasters, the Comet Flyer has the advantage of being in reasonable good condition, therefore it is a more attractive purchase to someone interested in it. With trains, mechanical bits, and the structure intact, the ride would probably need little work if reopened somewhere else. The Idora coasters, on the other hand, had been dormant for 17 years, and there wasn't much (if anything) left to salvage.
I heard that the park is either up for sale or is seeking investors to put money into the park. Honestly, I see the park being auctioned off in the near future, as I can't see the park surviving with Six Flags New England and Canobie Lake (both healthy parks) in the area. It would take a huge amount of money to make the park competitive, and even then, it might not guarantee its long-term success. Nothing would make me happier than for someone to come along and prove me wrong!
Dont forget Lake Compounce compitition.
New England was saturated with parks at one time. Every town had a street car company. Each street car co. had at amusement park. The great Depression of the 1930's spelled the end of a great many of them.The downturn in the economy of the area recently is claiming it's own victims.Within the last twenty years Mountain Park,Paragon Park,Lincoln Park, just to mention the major parks have succumbed. That doesn't even count the dozens of smaller parks in that area that have folded. While Whalom is a jewel of a park, a veritable operating museum of classic flat rides, these old rides don't bring the public in when you have SF dumping comparitively large sums into Riverside (excuse me SF New England). Not to mention Lake Compounce and Canobie Lake. These three are going to be the major players in the business in New England. More pieces of kiddie rides are turning up on eBay from Whalom. I surmise that they are cleaning out the storage sheds,trying to make some pocket change.
I noticed that on eBay. I figured they had liquidated the park.
------------- Rollercoasters are the secret of life!
I highly do think Whalom may close in the next few years I know the park is in desperation. Where would the coaster go?
Is it done with?
----------------- Im the #1 Canobie Lake Park Fan!!!These are my top 3 coasters: 1. S:RoS @ SFNE 2. Yankee Cannonball 3. Cyclone
I have been in correspondence with the gentleman who owned the carousel there for the last couple of years. He was told to remove it this spring. That job should be down by now. Rumblings are (unconfirmed) that Norton has been contatcted.
