The new 2006 roller coaster won't be a Hyper, but a Goliath, which resembles and is almost like a Hyper.
Here's the press release.
MONTREAL, Oct. 26 /CNW Telbec/ - La Ronde announced today the
construction of
Canada's tallest and fastest roller coaster. The exciting new
steel roller coaster will be called Goliath in tribute to its enormous size,
supreme speed and awesome height and will be ready to welcome its first high-
thrill seekers as of spring 2006. Goliath is without a doubt La Ronde's
biggest project since the Monstre was built in 1985. It will be La Ronde's
11th thrill ride.
La Ronde's phenomenal new steel giant will measure over 53 metres
(175 feet) in height, making it 13 metres (43 feet) higher than the Monstre
and 21 metres (69 feet) higher than the Vampire! After an initial drop of over
52 metres (171 feet), the intrepid passengers will take a 1,231-metre (4,039-
foot) route at speeds reaching 110 km/h (68 mph) for over three minutes!
Passengers will have to be at least 1.37 metres (54 inches) tall to ride the
giant.
The exhilarating new Goliath will have two 36-passenger trains, each with
nine cars with a capacity of four people across. To enhance this amazingly
smooth and thrilling experience, the wagons will be open on the sides and the
safety device will attach from bottom to top, giving passengers the impression
that they are flying far above Sainte-Hélène Island. A significant feature of
the unbeatable Goliath is that its expansive twisting track will whisk guests
outside the park, to the eastern point of Sainte-Hélène Island, before rushing
them back into the park, over a series of quick hills and drops and finally to
a smooth ending in the station house, located near Tour de Ville.
"I'm proud to confirm that in 2006, La Ronde will further bolster its
position as a world-class theme park with the construction of Canada's tallest
and fastest roller coaster ! Indeed, as of spring 2006, La Ronde will answer
high-thrill seekers' expectations by offering them the astonishing Goliath,
custom designed to provide them with extreme thrills they will never forget,"
said Len Turtora, La Ronde's Vice-President and General Manager. "I invite all
Quebecers, Canadians and tourists visiting our beautiful city to come and see
for themselves how La Ronde continues not only to evolve but also to offer the
most complete family entertainment on the market."
Since 2002, 17 new exciting rides including the Goliath, the Vampire, the
Splash and the Pays de Ribambelle have been added to Montreal's favourite
playground. Furthermore, La Ronde has built two new magnificent entrances, a
beautiful 150-person banquet hall, done upgrades to its food and beverage
facilities and added exciting new skill games. Also, several improvements and
renovations have been made to the infrastructure of the park such as
landscaping, design, decor, fencing, seating areas, sanitary installations and
other guest comforts across the site. Throughout the years, these changes have
definitely added to the pleasure and comfort of La Ronde's guests.
The Goliath was custom-designed for La Ronde by the famous manufacturer
Bolliger & Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, a company known in the industry
for the quality of its thrill-producing rides. Bolliger & Mabillard also
designed La Ronde's popular Vampire ride, installed in 2002.
The Goliath will cost $18.7 million, the largest investment for a single
ride since the park opened in 1967. Construction has already begun on the
giant roller coaster and will continue throughout the winter in order to be
ready for thrill-seekers when La Ronde opens. Building this first-ever ride in
Canada, will take close to 100 specialized workers, 300 pilings, 150 cement
foundations, 106 columns, 1,750 m(3) (61,800 f3) of cement and 850 anchor
bolts.
As of October 26, updates, videos and pictures of this large-scale
construction project will be regularly posted on
www.laronde.com to share the
excitement with La Ronde's visitors.
Just to note that the Goliath that Six Flags Over Georgia is getting is 200ft tall and a 175ft drop.
You can visit
www.laronde.com to check out everything you need to know. There's even a picture that shows the whole ride and its location. But it probably take a while to open the site because it's jammed!
Here's how Six Flags Over Georgia's Goliath will look like:
