New attraction opening at Kettering park next month

Bosses are hoping this new ride will become a firm favourite when it opens at Wicksteed Park next month.
Sway Rider is set to open to the public on April 1Sway Rider is set to open to the public on April 1
Sway Rider is set to open to the public on April 1

Sway Rider is a new attraction for the Kettering park and is due to open to the public on April 1.

The park’s managing director Alasdair McNee said: “For a family destination like Wicksteed Park, there are few things as exciting as taking delivery of a new ride or attraction.

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“Over the last couple of years that has meant a wide variety of things, ranging from the arrival of our meerkats to the construction of our RUSH zipwire and activity tower.

The new ride in full swingThe new ride in full swing
The new ride in full swing

“But nothing quite prepared us for the excitement among staff and park users when our new ride arrived a few days ago.

“It was a little bit like seeing a giant present being unwrapped on Christmas morning and was the culmination of more than a year of research, planning and design work.”

The swing carousel ride is a 10-metre high wave swing and is set to open on April 1, the day the park’s attractions open fully for 2017.

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The ride rotates around a central column supporting three rows of swinging chairs and undulates during operation so you are tilted to the side while whizzing around high up from the ground.

The new ride in full swingThe new ride in full swing
The new ride in full swing

Mr McNee said: “The ride has been specially designed for the park, with double seat chairs on the inner row so adults and children can sit together and it is hand-decorated with a series of pictures depicting well-known images from the park and its history.

“The four-minute ride can accommodate 48 people at a time so hopefully you won’t have to queue too long to try it out.”

The new attraction is for children who are more than one metre tall, and children between one metre and 1.2m must be accompanied by an adult.

It is two tickets per person or access with a wristband.

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Mr McNee said: “The whole ethos of the park is about celebrating our heritage while also looking forward and highlighting innovation.

“So it is fitting that our new ride is located next to the carousel, so that the traditional ride sits alongside a modern incarnation of the fairground favourite.

“So come and give it a go – we hope it becomes a firm favourite.”