LEISURE & RETAIL FACILITIES
team with the refurbishment of the site’s iconic pyramid. At almost 100ft tall, it contains slides, eateries and more within its pavilion. But whilst the long-standing structure is seen by many as the heart of the park, the owners were keen to launch the new season with fresh and exciting attractions. So, a more atmospheric focal point was designed and kept under-wraps until the park’s re-opening.
A new lease of life As part of the four-month maintenance assignment, ANS was therefore tasked with climbing through the pyramid’s interior lattice metalwork to systematically clean and repaint it. The technicians installed a temporary drape sheet to protect the interior whilst carrying out the necessary works, which included thoroughly cleaning, prepping and repainting all steel and windows and replacing bulbs. As a final, dramatic interior touch, the ceiling and glazing were adorned with dark blues to create the feeling of a dramatic sky.
The exterior of the pyramid underwent a similar overhaul, with extensive cleaning of the external glazing and steel architecture. In an industry reliant on attracting visitors, ensuring a clean, bright appearance through these thorough maintenance works was essential to setting the right first impression for holidaymakers.
Thanks to the successful completion of this initial assignment, the contract will now see ANS continuing to support Mellors Group with the ongoing upkeep of the park during the off-season schedule.
by Danish amusement ride manufacturer Vekoma and reaches speeds of up to 62mph. Travelling along a 2924ft course, the exhilarating ride remains Vekoma’s tallest example of its Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) design in the world, and stands as the third tallest coaster in the UK. To this day, it is still a favourite amongst Fantasy Island’s visitors and so must be kept looking and operating at its best.
It is hoped that this ongoing
commitment to the park’s upkeep will help boost tourism.
To carry out the necessary works on The Odyssey, ANS’s maintenance at height specialists were enlisted, following a competitive tendering process. Using purely rope access techniques whilst the park was closed in the off season, the team of IRATA-trained technicians expertly navigated the twists and turns to carry out an extensive clean of the coaster. In addition to the rejuvenation of the toughened steelwork, the engineers also installed numerous spikes as precautionary bird deterrent systems. Having been newly painted earlier in the year, once the clean was complete and the protective equipment installed, nothing further was required to optimise the ride’s safety and appearance.
Making the most of the engineers’ ability to access difficult- to-reach areas, Mellors Group additionally tasked the
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Safety at height Whilst rope access may be terrifying to watch for a bystander, the technique is rapidly becoming renowned as one of the safest ways to clean and maintain complex structures. For tall buildings, roller coasters and even cruise ships – to give just a few examples – it enables difficult areas to be reached safely and efficiently, with minimal disruption to the surrounding site.
As with any work at height, risk assessments and method statements are carried out for every job and necessary insurances must be in place, but the technique itself – which uses a minimum of two connection points – has become renowned as the safest way to work at such eye-watering elevations. For many assignments, including this one, no additional powered access equipment or scaffolding is required, which is beneficial to the environment and helpful when it comes to keeping costs down.
And for projects like the Fantasy Island Theme Park, completing these works in time for its annual reopening is absolutely crucial. Once peak season arrives in the competitive leisure industry, visitor experience, security and enjoyment are central to a park’s success. So, no matter how tall, intricate or challenging a structure is, it is essential that it is maintained properly to ensure the safety, appearance and performance of every last element.
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