Playland Wooden Roller Coaster, oldest in Canada, will make late return in 2022

After a long wait for roller coaster lovers, Playland has announced the return of the Wooden Coaster for the summer season — but it won’t be back right away.

The classic ride was out of commission last year as a result of a much-needed refurbishment project and while it was supposed to be ready to roll June 18, when Playland reopens, more delays have put its grand return to mid-July instead.

The retrofit project has been extensive, with more than 4,700 hours put into restoring the coaster through the guidance of Martin and Vleminckx Rides, which has built 13 other wooden roller coasters around the world.

“We’ve actually added, in order to meet incoming safety standards, lapbelts on that coaster … that’s a big change,” PNE spokesperson Laura Ballance told KiSS RADIO’s Kevin and Sonia.

The 2021 retrofit project added more than 1,200 lengths of structural grade Douglas Fir, which was the original material used back when it was built in 1957. The engineering team worked to modernize the skeleton of the ride, while keeping the look and ambience the same.

Related Articles:

• Vancouver asks province for funding to support struggling PNE

• Metro Vancouver businesses hope supportive locals keep coming as tourist crowds return

• Playland’s Wooden Coaster closed in 2021 for upgrades

“This retrofit will ensure that this special piece of global ride history is ready to celebrate its 65th birthday in 2023 as well as many more decades thrilling Playland guests,” Ballance said.

The project was slated to cost between $500,000 and $750,000, but the PNE says the final price tag ended up being a million bucks.

While the ride’s return will be celebrated by many, there will also be some sadness this year especially for those who love another classic amusement park ride.

Playland’s Music Express retires

The Music Express ride is retiring this year, silencing the cheers of generations of guests asked “do you wanna go faster?” whilst spinning around and around at high speed amidst a kaleidoscope of colourful lights.

FILE. The Music Express Ride — famously known for guests being asked “do you wanna go faster?” — will no longer be at Playland as the ride will be put out to pasture.

“We all loved the Music Express, but that ride had reached the end of its lifecycle, so it was removed and recycled,” Ballance said.

She says they are also taking Crazy Beach Party out of the mix, and will be adding the Skybender ride instead.

“It’ll be opening in just a few more weeks. We don’t have an exact date, but it looks like very early July. It’ll be a very exciting ride addition.”

Playland opens June 18.