Park boss planning tranquil spot amid thrills and spills of new £16.25m rollercoaster

Pleasure Beach boss Amanda Thompson has revealed her vision to bring a little tranquility to the lives of thrill-seekers when the park's groundbreaking new ride opens.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Mar 2017, 11:11 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:42 BST
The new rollercoaster is due to open next yearThe new rollercoaster is due to open next year
The new rollercoaster is due to open next year

Building is well under way on Construction 2018, a £16.25m double launch rollercoaster.It is the biggest single construction project at the park since the opening of the Big One in 1994.And Amanda, who has left managing the heavy engineering work to brother Nick, is ready to make her own mark on what is hoped will prove a money-spinner for the park and the resort.Although no details of a name for the new ride have been revealed, Amanda told tourism leaders how the design process was well under way.And she revealed how the design will be ‘something new’ both for the park and for Blackpool.She said: “Everybody knows what we’re doing here at Pleasure Beach, sadly not for this year but for next year.“But the excitement of seeing our new coaster develop will hopefully bring a lot of visitors to Blackpool.“Most people will be able to see it being built up as they watch with excitement and anticipation on the social media feeds.“It will be truly amazing.“I’ve been working with the designers on the building of the station.“I can say it will be very exciting and will be very different for Blackpool, very different for the Pleasure Beach.”Amanda is happy to leave her brother in charge of ensuring riders will get maximum thrills on the new rollercoaster.But she’s determined to put her own unique touches into the final project, promising a spot almost unheard of in modern fun parks, a place for quiet contemplation.She said: “Nick (Thompson) has been working with the engineers to ensure everything will be superb with every thrill possible.“I think you can thank Nick for the thrills of the ride but you can thank me for how it will all look.“Aesthetically I think everybody will be really pleased.“If I get my own way,which I very rarely do, but occasionally happens, “I will have a little garden of tranquility as you come off the ride so everybody can sit and take a little step back and watch the other people be scared.“In this tranquility garden everybody will have a nice feeling of calm as they come off after all that rush of adrenaline and excitement.”Park bosses are expected to reveal the chosen name for Construction 2018 later this year.The ride features two ‘launches’ which will fire riders up to high speeds without the need for a lift hill.The rollercoaster will interact with a number of existing attractions, including a dive through the Big One and a ‘high five’ pass with the Big Dipper.