Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • 122

"'-in Mexico Rattler was the nation. Cliff Amusement After a decade of patience, a vision has finally become a reality for the owners of Cliff's Amusement Park with the 1 Mexico and five other states for five 'Anything that can promote coasters In the. southwest Is great Maness said. The New Mexico Rattler will continue to raise the profile of Cliff's Amusement Park. Attendance te expected to Increase by at least 20-30 percent, according to Linda's conservative flgr ures.

Cliff average dally attendance during Jts also believes the new coaster will make Cliffs a destination spot and attract more In-; state and out-of-state VlSl-stOrS. 'In-state visitors are going to want to come In to Albuquerque) Just to -ride the coaster Linda said. "They may want to come an extra time or' two" and visit the park and make a day of It." -A project of this size' doesn't happen without local support. Creamland Is a corporate spon-, sor of The New Mexico Rattler and Wendy's Is a promotional partner. I Also, tocal companies were Contracted out during construction and the supplies, less the steel and specially treated lumber, where purchased locally.

New Mexico rlow Joins 18 other states In the U.S. that already have a roller, coaster designed by first of Its kind to be built throughout an entire park. After a month of Park and The New. Mexico Rattier were featured in the January February; American Coaster Enthusiasts' (ACE) v-v newsletter. With a mem bership of nearly 7,000 nationwide, ACE has, reported that The New.

Mexico Rattler is the only wooden roller coaster being built In North America for the 2002 season. "I'm evrtoH rinH track. 4 little bit Jealous," Barry; Maness, New Mexico's ACE regional representative, said of The New Mexico Rattler. Maness, who lives In Denver, has been a member of ACE for 10 years and has been representing New CONCRETE EXCAVATION .1 1 opening of The New Mexico Rattler. Linda and Gary Hays always wanted a larger roller coaster at the park, but It wasnt until a few factors came together could they make the addition.

With a price tag of $2 million-, Albuquerque's population had to be large enough to Justify the expenditure. According to Linda Hays, the caliber of equipment In theme parks Is usually proportionate to the area's population base or based on whether the park is a destination spot. Once Albuquerque's population figures reflected that the public's support (in numbers) would be behind the project, the Hayses said, "let's just do It!" With Cliff's being landlocked, much like amusement parks on boardwalks, space became a major factor in the project. The New Mexico Rattler had to be designed and ultimately built over, under, around and through existing attractions to best utilize space. This was a new venture for Custom Coasters International, the company behind the design of the coaster.

While Custom Coasters International, Inc. has designed coasters that are partially over and around certain portions of a park, for them The New 1 Groundbreaking for The New Mexico Rattler took place in early spring (top photo). The New Mexico Rattler will have a 100-foot Jong, 18-foot deep underground tunnel 1 1 0-day season Is 2500. Because Cliff season began In May, the full Impact of the addition of the roller coaster Isn't expected to be felt until ECO BLOCK BUILDINGS 897t3259 249-2500 and 2,750 teet of wooden engineering, Custom Coasters International, Inc. presented the design to the Hayses.

Complete with an underground tunnel and Inclines that can be seen from San Mateo Boulevard and Interstate 25, the design was put into play. This, for an amusement park, Is kind of like a first-born child," Linda said of the roller coaster. The New Mexico Rattler is the state's first super-roller coaster. It' Is not only catching the attention of locals, but also of roller coaster enthusiasts around the RANDY President POWELL Custom. Coasters International, Inc.

This Isgolng to add a dimension of excitement." Linda said. This Is going to be one of those pieces of equipment that people are going to have to ride Keeping industry in motion (505)884-2606 fax (505) www.tnotionMRO.coni A CONSTRUCTION MCOItKMATEO P.O. BOX 998 CORRALES, NM 87048.