FEATURE KNOW THE ROPES
Berenice Northcott, Managing Director of Access North, explains how rope access can lend itself to the specific needs of the leisure industry, and shares some of the working-at-height specialist’s own case studies.
Building and facilities managers will know all too well the challenges of keeping a site running as normal whilst maintenance or repair work is being conducted. The nature of the leisure industry often means that such tasks need to limit the impact on tourist trade.
Once peak season arrives, visitor experience is central to a business’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 element – and all in time for that crucial peak opening periods.
Cleaning and maintenance at Fantasy Island
Theme Park Theme parks are a great example of where off-season upkeep is key. The rides must not only be safe for families to enjoy – they need to look the part too.
When Mellors Group acquired Fantasy Island Theme Park in 2016, it was clear the Skegness tourist staple needed several alterations across the 41-acre site. They enlisted the help of Access North to conduct crucial pre-season maintenance work, with strict timescales in place to complete the repairs.
Unsurprisingly, there were a number of complex, elevated structures that required attention. One of these was The
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Odyssey. At 167ft high, the inverted rollercoaster boasts a 2,924ft course, and is the third tallest coaster in the UK.
Using purely rope access techniques while 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 ride. In addition to the rejuvenation of the toughened steelwork, the engineers also installed numerous spikes as precautionary bird deterrent systems.
Making the most of the engineers’ ability to access difficult-to-reach areas, Access North was also asked to carry out the refurbishment of the site’s iconic pyramid. As part of the four-month maintenance assignment, technicians were 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 while carrying out the necessary works, which included thoroughly cleaning, prepping and repainting all steel and windows and replacing bulbs. And 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.
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