Baltimore, MD, USA — Premier Rides, Inc., a Baltimore-based supplier of high caliber and innovative theme park attractions, has been selected by Lake Compounce Family Theme Park, located in Bristol/Southington, Connecticut, to design and build a triple launch roller coaster featuring a magnetic launch system for the summer of 2016. Named Phobia Phear Coaster, this will be the first linear synchronous motor (LSM) coaster in the Northeast region of the U.S.
Park officials revealed that, through the ride design and theming, Phobia will address many popular “phobias” including the fear of heights, speed, enclosed spaces, and of course the fear of rollercoasters. Phobia will feature an inversion at 150 feet in the air—one of the highest in existence and the tallest in the Northeast. Guests will experience speeds of 65 mile per hour with many exciting and unique elements including multiple launches, a twisting heart-line inversion, and ascending and descending twists.
“Adding Phobia to Lake Compounce will launch us to a new level in the amusement park arena by adding another ride that will be enjoyed by our thrill-seeking guests. Over the past 10 years we have focused on attractions that appeal to the younger end of our family audience and we felt it was time to introduce a new high thrill factor. Phobia will be the largest financial investment we have made to the park in our history and we couldn’t be more excited,” according to General Manager, Jerry Brick. “This is exciting for Bristol,” added Mayor Ken Cockayne, who has watched the park grow substantially in recent decades.
Jim Seay, President of Premier Rides, commented, “Premier Rides is extremely honored to have been selected by Lake Compounce to design and produce such an amazing roller coaster. Phobia Phear Coaster will incorporate our newest technologies including our most advanced magnetic launch system and a highly innovative power modulation system that represents cutting-edge green technology.
The Premier Rides Smart Energy System uses high-tech military grade hardware designed to dramatically reduce high-end power requirements in order to lower peak demands to the regional power grid. The self-contained equipment is an effective element of energy conservation especially during the summer season when electrical utility demands are at their highest.
Premier has a very positive long term relationship with Lake Compounce’s parent organization Palace Entertainment and has supplied multiple rides for their other signature parks such as Kennywood Amusement Park and Idlewild Park. Seay noted, “We really enjoy working with the talented Lake Compounce team. They are passionate about the business. On a personal level, I grew up in Connecticut so Lake Compounce holds a special place for me, and it means a lot to provide a world-class attraction to such a historic park. “