Bosses at Clacton Pier have made the single largest investment in a new
ride for around 40 years – and there is more in the pipeline.
The White Water Log Flume has been bought and transported from Scotland
to Clacton where it is currently being stored.
The plan is to make the changes needed to accommodate the ride over this
winter and have it in operation next season.
This is the first log flume of its size on Clacton Pier and is very
similar to the one at Thorpe Park made famous by Princess Di and her sons,
William and Harry.
It will be the heaviest ride on the structure weighing 160 tons in total
and holding 80,000 litres of water.
Director Billy Ball said that having just completed phase two of the
Pier’s £4 million development, attention has been turned to the rides.
“We are always looking to up our offer across the board and the log
flume is a really exciting addition which will provide thrills for all ages,”
he said.
“It is a major boost for those who love our rides and we can promise at least
one more significant addition in 2021.
“We cannot rest on our laurels and it is all about our commitment to continually
make improvements to attract people to the Pier and give them the environment
to make many happy memories.
“This ride is definitely about upping our seasonal offer, whereas the
new development is about making us a truly sustainable 52-week a year
attraction.”
The log flume has been bought from a park in Scotland owned by other
members of the Ball family. It is undergoing a full refurbishment.
There will need to be a reconfiguration of the outside ride decks including
the relocation of the Go-Karts as well as work to strengthen the Pier’s
structure.
“We cannot wait to get this new attraction in place and although there
was once a very small log flume type ride, there has never been anything on
this scale,” added Mr Ball.
“Watch out for another ride announcement soon as we have plans for
another similarly big investment for 2021.”
