Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Announces Last Day to Ride the Hurricane

SANTA CRUZ, CA , 2012-08-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk announced that September 3, 2012 will be the Hurricane roller coaster’s last operating day at the Boardwalk. A new ride, scheduled to open in 2013, will be announced on August 27.

The Hurricane will be dismantled starting after Labor Day and shipped to its new owner, Western Playland Amusement Park in New Mexico, this fall. The ride had been listed for sale through a broker for $500,000; the final sale price was not released.

“The Hurricane has been a great ride for the Boardwalk,” said vice president of operations Tom Canfield. “It served us well, but we’re extremely excited to get a brand new ride that we know our guests are going to love.”

Northern California members of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) are meeting at the Boardwalk on August 26 to take their final ride on the Hurricane. The group of about 40 roller coaster aficionados will also receive a special briefing from park staff about the new ride.

At the Boardwalk since 1992, the Hurricane was a replacement for the Jet Star coaster, which had operated in the Hurricane’s location from 1972 to 1991. Earlier this year the Boardwalk announced that 2012 would be the Hurricane’s final season.