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MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – “The roller coaster project is back on track!”

That simple statement, issued today by Quassy Amusement Park owners George Frantzis II and Eric Anderson, summed up months of behind-the-scenes negotiations to settle litigation that has stalled the construction of the highly-anticipated new ride at the lakeside park.

“We can now move forward,” Anderson asserted, commenting on the agreement which allows for the historic property to build a wooden roller coaster geared toward families.

“Our intentions were to break ground in 2009 after we announced our multi-year improvement plan last May,” he added. “The legal action prevented us from doing that, but now we can honestly say that the coaster will be built for the 2011 season.”

“We’ll break ground most likely in September,” Frantzis said. “This allows us to concentrate on getting the heart of our season in before we put our combined efforts into the coaster’s construction.”

Even with a late summer or fall start, the coaster will be ready for Quassy’s 2011 season.

“This is a family ride, not a mega-coaster that would take months on end to build,” Frantzis pointed out.

As for the proceedings that held up the construction, the park officials would offer no further comment.

“That is behind us – we can now focus on the projects outlined in our long-term plans,” noted Anderson.

The yet unnamed ride is part of a projected $5 million multi-year plan to update equipment and infrastructure at the lakeside park.

In addition to the roller coaster, Quassy will add a 35-foot drop tower ride in the amusement park this year. The new “Free Fall ‘N’” tower ride was built in Italy and will be erected near the park’s new ticket booth.

“The new coaster will be a replacement for our aging steel ‘Mad Mouse,’” said Anderson. “The steel coaster will come down once the new ride is in place in another area of the park.”

Quassy has received countless inquiries from throughout the world about the new roller coaster and the fate of the “Mad Mouse,” which has been a staple at the park since 1983.

“It’s amazing just how closely enthusiasts have followed our news over the past nine months,” Frantzis noted. “They were not only excited about the new ride, then disappointed to hear about the delays, but also concerned about what will happen to the ‘Mad Mouse.’”

“To say the least, the delay in construction has been a roller coaster ride for us,” he quipped.

As for the fate of the classic Allan Herschell “Mouse” coaster, the park hopes it finds a new home.

“It’s still in great condition and has been property maintained throughout the years. In fact, we just painted the entire ride last spring,” Anderson said of the steel giant. “It looks and sounds scary, but that is what guests like about these old classic coasters. It has served us well.”

The three-phased plan announced last year is the largest in the history of the 102-year-old park, which is owned by the Frantzis family and Anderson. This marks the 72^nd year the Frantzis family has been involved at Quassy.

“It’s not so much an expansion plan as it is updating,” Frantzis said. “We’re investing in the future of the property. These projects are necessary for us to remain competitive, and in the amusement park business you have to feature a family roller coaster.”

First Coaster In Waterbury Area In Years

The last wooden roller coaster to operate in the Waterbury, Conn., area was located at the city’s Lakewood Park. Built in 1930, the coaster lasted only a few years before being dismantled and moved to Canobie Lake Park in Salem, N.H. for the 1936 season. The ride continues to operate in New Hampshire today.

“Our new roller coaster will be a family ride – one parents and grandparents alike can ride with children,” Frantzis asserted. “It will not be an extreme or white-knuckle experience – that is not who and what we are.”

Designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, Ohio, the Quassy coaster will have 1,200 feet of track and be 35 feet at its highest point. Due to the topography where the coaster will be located, the ride will actually drop around 40 feet obtaining a maximum speed of 35 mph. One three-car train with a capacity of 12 persons will run the course.

The coaster’s station will be located near the “Big Flush” ride with the incline constructed on the old entrance road to the park. The coaster will drop into the lawn area behind the “Grand Carousel” where it will make its turnaround and head up and over the park’s train tracks. Engineers from The Gravity Group were able to present a design which will not disrupt the tree line along both sides of Quassy old entrance.

“We didn’t want to take away from the natural beauty those trees provide as you enter the park,” Anderson said. “Fortunately, we’ll be able to preserve that feature and have this beautiful structure fit in.”

“It’s a family coaster, but will be an exciting ride,” Anderson continued. “Adding to the excitement will be two crossovers on the train tracks, plus a series of airtime hops. This will be a great modern replacement for the steel coaster.”

The roller coaster will be constructed of all treated lumber. The vendor for the coaster train has yet to be named by the park.

At least four other coaster manufacturers from around the world presented proposals to Quassy.

“They (Gravity Group) came in with a couple of designs that immediately caught our eye,” Anderson noted. “These engineers have a real passion for their trade and The Gravity Group has designed and built some of the best rides of the genre.”

Community Service Event And Schools

Once completed, Quassy will host an auction for the first ride or series of rides on the new roller coaster. Beneficiaries of the coaster auction will be Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut and the Connecticut Food Bank.

“Part of our strategy since we started talking about the coaster project several years ago was to have an auction for the first ride,” Frantzis said. “Our initiative will support these great organizations which serve the communities that support the park.”

In addition, Quassy will hold a “Name The Roller Coaster” contest among local and area schools. The class that submits the name selected to be used on the coaster will be invited to the park for the grand opening. In addition, the winning school will receive a quantity of park passes to use for fundraising. That contest will officially take shape in the fall.

Time To Retire The ‘Mad Mouse’

The “Mad Mouse,” also known as the “Monster” roller coaster, has been operating at Quassy Amusement Park since 1983. The all-steel ride operated at Playland in Rye, N.Y., following delivery in 1967 from the manufacturer, the Allan Herschell Co., of  North Tonawanda, N.Y.

When Quassy purchased the coaster and moved it from New York, it replaced the “Wild Mouse,” a similar ride Quassy installed in 1960.

“The Herschell coaster is a great classic ride, and it will be missed,” Anderson said of the ride that will be replaced. “It’s becoming a challenge to keep the ride operating because of its age and Quassy greatly needs a marquee coaster to replace it.”

“If you ask people what they like about visiting amusement parks, it’s roller coasters,” Frantzis said of the business. “Our new waterpark helped us remain competitive seven years ago, and this coaster will have the same impact in forging a future for Quassy.”

Quassy’s other roller coaster is the “Little Dipper,” a children’s ride that came to the park in 1952 from the Herschell firm. It is one of the oldest operating steel roller coasters in the world and has delighted generations of guests. It operates to this day in the three-ride Herschell Kiddyland adjacent to the redemption arcade.

Waterpark Project

The final phase of the multi-year plan will be the construction of a “Bullet Bowl” water raft ride, located where the “Mad Mouse” coaster currently stands. The new attraction will be part of the “Saturation Station” interactive family water play area and add yet another element to the popular waterpark.

“It will be an attractive piece to have in that location and complement the beach and existing waterpark,” Frantzis said of the ride manufactured by ProSlide Technology of Canada.

Riders will climb into rafts from a loading platform about 28 feet above the park before plunging down a trough into a huge bowl with swirling water. Rafters will spin around the bowl before being discharged through another trough to the landing area.

Economic Impact

Quassy’s plan is expected to have positive economic impact throughout the area as well.

“Regional accommodations that package vacation stays with us realize the value of having modern attractions nearby,” Frantzis explained. “These partnerships have grown extensively over the past couple of years, and much of that can be attributed to the park’s progressive nature in updating, yet preserving a family atmosphere.”

“The impact tourist attractions have on the business climate locally is very substantial,” the park owner added. “Visitors not only pay for accommodations, but also meals at restaurants, gasoline and a variety of other goods and services. We’re happy to recommend to our guests local places to go out to dinner and other places of interest – we do that on virtually a daily basis when we’re open.”

“The unique thing here is that we have been careful to preserve the nostalgia of Quassy while making essential updates,” Anderson interjected. “Change has been necessary – especially over the past few years – to remain competitive. At the same time, we’ve continued with a good balance of the old and the new. Everyday we hear guests comment about the classic rides like the ‘Tilt-A-Whirl’ and ‘Little Dipper’ coaster, and at the same time compliment us for having the initiative to build ‘Saturation Station.’”

“The improvements have also increased the value of the property, and that weighs heavily into tax dollars we provide to the town and state,” Frantzis added. “We also employ hundreds of students during the summer, which also feeds the local economy.”

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With photos, beneficiary logos and sidebars on beneficiaries, coaster builder

First Rides On New Quassy

Coaster Will Benefit Great Causes

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. – It will be the ride of a lifetime for a select group of individuals.

When Quassy Amusement Park’s new wooden roller coaster opens in 2011, the first rides will be auctioned off to benefit three not-for-profit agencies.

Beneficiaries of the coaster auction will be Connecticut Public Television (CPTV), Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut and the Connecticut Food Bank.

“Part of our strategy since we started talking about the coaster project several years ago was to have an auction for the first ride,” Frantzis said. “Our initiative will support these great organizations which serve the communities that support the park.”

“Auctions to be the first riders on new roller coasters have a strong history throughout our industry, and we anticipate our event will be equally successful,” he added.

About The Agencies

The parent company of Connecticut Public Television (CPTV) is Connecticut Public Broadcasting, the state’s only locally owned media organization producing TV, radio, print and Internet content for distribution to Connecticut’s wide-ranging and diverse communities.

CPTV serves the entire state of Connecticut, reaching an estimated 750,000 television viewers each week. The company’s annual budget is funded in large part through community support from individuals, corporations and foundations.

The sole purpose of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut has granted over 1,700 wishes since our founding in 1986.

The mission of Connecticut Food Bank is to alleviate hunger. The agency strives to do this by supplying food products and resources to our member agencies, and promoting public awareness about the problem of hunger.

Founded in 1982, Connecticut Food Bank is an affiliate of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network. It is the largest centralized source of donated, emergency food in Connecticut.

“The roller coaster ride auction will certainly draw national attention as roller coaster and amusement park enthusiasts love to participate in these events,” Frantzis noted. “We have numerous members of coaster and theme park clubs living in the area, not to mention the interest the event will have among our dedicated fan-base.”

School Involvement

In addition, Quassy will hold a “Name The Roller Coaster” contest among local and area schools. The class that submits the name selected to be used on the coaster will be invited to the park for the grand opening. The winning school will receive a quantity of park passes to use for fundraising.

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