Work is
progressing on preparing for a major new attraction on Clacton Pier.
An in-house
team has been busy stripping out the 40-year-old seaquarium which is making way
for an exciting bespoke dinosaur themed area to be introduced next Spring.
Jurassic Pier –
as it is being branded – will involve a walk-through experience leading into a full
special effects 4D cinema.
A start is to
be made on some of the new build this week and will carry on alongside the
annual maintenance programme of the site.
Pier director
Billy Ball said that it is a busy time for the team.
“Work started
on clearing out and dismantling the seaquarium as soon as it closed last
month,” he said. “We have surrendered the licence and the sea life has all been
rehomed to various sites, including public aquariums.
“The Jurassic
project is well under way now and will continue throughout the winter. We are
expecting the animatronic dinosaurs to be shipped in the New Year and the
motion theatre is due to arrive at the end of January.
“At the same
time, we are carrying out our regular maintenance, annual ride inspections and
other important activities.
“The aim is
still to have Jurassic Pier up and operational with an opening date in Spring
2023.”
The attraction
will include motion seats, 3-D glasses, water-squirters, wind and lighting to
make it a fully immersive experience.
The cinema is
being provided by Simworx of Dudley in the West Midlands, one of the world’s
top suppliers of motion simulation technology.
The decision
to close the seaquarium was announced in October due to new higher standards
and rising costs.
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