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Delta Leisure Resorts
rides. Initial concepts for the project were provided by Sarner, and detailed designs are now being prepared by the Fairhurst Design Group, Ocean Designs and QTS Arhitects.
The safari park, which will feature the African
Polin’s Baris Pakis with Delta Leisure Resorts’ Princess Abiodun Oyefusi at IAAPA
One of a handful of major new leisure projects proposed for Nigeria, Delta Leisure Resorts promises to “display Africa's natural wonder in a way never seen before.” Located in the Delta State, on a site adjacent to the Oleri river 5km from the city of Warri and 160km west of the capital of Port Harcourt, the resort will apparently feature 22 zones including a safari park, waterpark, amusement park, sports village, botanical garden, bird sanctuary and retail, plus accommodation including a safari camp, 3 and 5-star hotels, and themed residential/holiday homes. A signature feature will be one of the world's largest manmade waterfalls, through which a flume ride will travel.
More details of the 450-acre (180-hectare) project, which will open in stages beginning 2015, were revealed in November at a press conference during November’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. There we were told that Polin Waterparks & Pool Systems has been retained to design and supply the waterpark component, while Interlink will source a collection of 27 new and pre-owned
“big five” (elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and rhino), will operate both as a day and night safari. Construction on this part of the project began in 2010 and is apparently due for completion by April 2015. Investment is US$330m. The first project of its kind in west Africa, the waterpark will feature an Ancient Egyptian theme and be anchored by Polin's King Cobra slide, alongside other slides and attractions including a wave pool, lazy river, water playground, splash zone and “adventure pyramid.” “We chose Polin following a recommendation
from Kevin Howe [Ocean Designs],” says Delta Leisure Resorts director Princess Abiodun Oyefusi. “They are a world-class supplier and one of the best. King Cobra is also one of the most-talked about waterpark attractions so we will be delighted to have it at Delta Leisure Resorts.” Interlink will design and supply the aforementioned flume ride, or Super Flume, together with a Panoramic Tower and some cruise boats that will navigate a 1 (1.15m/1.85km) canal around the outside of the park. The company has also secured a selection of second hand rides including a Huss Topple Tower and a 60-metre Ferris Wheel and is currently looking for suitable rollercoaster and a racing simulator. All children’s rides will be custom-themed, and therefore bought new. Furthermore Interlink has been asked to provide ride maintenance, arcade and midway games, and consult on merchandise and staff recruitment and training. “It’s clearly a major task,” concedes Interlink’s John Hudd, ”but our past experience and
Rides 4-U and SBF in a spin at IAAPA
During the recent IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, two new rides from the SBF/Visa Group drew attention at the Rides 4-U booth. Both the Spinning Family Coaster and the Drop ‘n’ Twist Tower resulted in sales for the Italian manufacturer and its US representative. Rides 4-U’s Len Soled reported that three Spinning Family Coasters were sold, to Silverwood, Idaho; Western Playland, New Mexico; and Daytona Lagoon, Florida. SBF/Visa sold another four units to various customers around the world. A transportable version of the ride is now in development. Meanwhile Drop ‘n’ Twist Towers were purchased by the Steel Pier, New Jersey, and Modern Woodmen Park, a minor league baseball stadium in Davenport, Iowa.
LEFT: The Spinning Coaster in action on the show floor at IAAPA
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knowledge of the market will enable us to provide an excellent range of rides and attractions which will be key elements in the Delta Leisure Resorts offering and ultimately vital to its success.” Further suppliers and contractors confirmed at
IAAPA included Aqua Ltd (waterfall), Neuman Group (water treatment), WhiteWater (dry play equipment), DJ Willrich (audiovisual), Gateway Ticketing and also Jack Rouse Associates (JRA), which is working on an African Cultural Museum as part of the project
Built on land donated by the Nigerian government, which gets a 10% stake in the project in return for providing this and supporting infrastructure, the resort will be built with funds from private investors. The developer is hoping for an annual attendance of around 5 million. The population of Nigeria is 170 million, and the majority of visitors are expected to come from the country. There has, however, been interest from further a field in the holiday homes that will be built on site, recreating architectural styles from different nations.
A press conference was due to be staged in Nigeria on 20 December, in which the collection of local and international brands that will lend their IP to the project were set to be revealed.
Thomas Earl Spackman
1913-2013 A former IAAPA president and the son of Indiana Beach
founder Earl W Spackman, Thomas Earl Spackman passed away on 11 November at the age of 100.
Earl founded Ideal Beach in Monticello, Indiana, in 1926, with Tom becoming its chief executive officer in 1945, changing its name seven years later to Indiana Beach, “Riviera of the Midwest”. The park grew significantly during his reign, developing into a major regional summer resort. In 2008, when sold to Morgan RV Resorts, it boasted 28 adult rides, nine children’s rides, a fun house, shops, miniature golf, a waterpark, swimming, restaurants and resort accommodation. Serving as president of IAAPA in 1975, Tom received a Meritorious Service Award from the association in 2003. He also boasted many state and national honours. Along with the late Bill Koch of Holiday World, Tom founded the Indiana Travel and Tourism Association which later became the Indiana Department of Tourism.
Surviving are two sons, Thomas E Spackman and James Spackman, three daughters, Joy A Boomershine Bailey, Ruth C Davis and Cathy J Juntgen, plus 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
JANUARY 2014
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