[Editor’s Note: InPark was going to press with this article when news of the tragic fire at the pier arrived on 12 Sept, 2013]
The buzz of the arcade. The aromas of cotton candy and saltwater. The screams of happy coaster riders mingled with the pounding of the waves crashing below. These were the sights, smells and sounds of New Jersey’s Casino Pier for 52 years. Until they were washed away in an instant, along with most of the Jersey Shore.
For the owners, the goal of JRA’s planning effort was to combine the same elements that had made Casino Pier a national treasure for over five decades with new, unique elements and give it all a facelift for this new beginning. “It was interesting how our plans evolved,” said Lichtenberg, “What existed prior to Sandy was a solid, successful and functional entertainment attraction that over the years had been tweaked to maximize efficiency, entertainment value and profit. What worked was not to be re-invented but rather enhanced. JRA studied sight lines, building aesthetics, accessibility and the attraction mix with a goal to create a total experience that addressed all age groups and kept a strong link to the history and nostalgia of Casino Pier.”
Because of the degree to which Hurricane Sandy destroyed the boardwalk and pier, the Storinos and their team had to start from scratch, beginning with the construction of a stronger and more structured pier. The upper deck, which will re-open in 2014, traditionally housed the more “grown-up” rides, but since the team knew they could only have the lower deck for the 2013 season, they had re-configure this traditional layout to offer a variety of both kiddie and thrill rides in the smaller lower pier space. Included in this new ride mix are the Super Storm, a spinning pendulum ride that can bring riders up to 70 feet and rotate 360 degrees, and the Surf Shack, a multi-story fun house that resembles a popular attraction lost to the hurricane.
According to Mastoris, the Jersey Shore community and visitors have embraced the new look and attraction mix of Casino Pier and have been excited for what lies ahead. Despite dreary weather opening weekend, guests flocked to the boardwalk and pier, enjoying the arcade, carousel and mini-golf. Though the majority of rides were not yet open, visitors could see both the progress that had been made to date and the previews of what was to come, and throughout the spring and summer they anxiously awaited Casino Pier’s Facebook announcements of new or returning rides and attractions. “Guests have been cheering us on and supporting our progress since Day One,” she said. “A lot of our team members said guests stopped to say ‘thank you’ for a job well done. It was heartwarming, because we wanted to be open to thank our guests for their support over the last seven months.”
When asked if the return of Casino Pier meant the Jersey Shore was “back,” Mastoris didn’t hesitate: “The mantras ‘Jersey Strong’ and ‘Stronger Than the Storm’ may seem silly, but it has been a way of life here – an anthem to work to. The Jersey Shore is certainly coming back and coming back better. Look at what’s been done just since October – it speaks to the resilience of Jerseyans. There is still a long way to go yet. Residences need to be rebuilt and neighborhoods need to regrow, but seeing what was done so far makes us confident in the renaissance of the Shore.”
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