Blackpool Pleasure Beach has unveiled the name of its new £16m ($20m) roller coaster: Icon.
The ride is currently being manufactured by Mack Rides at the company’s world-class facility in Waldkirch, Germany. It will open in spring 2018.
Icon will be the UK’s first double launch coaster – propelling riders at high speed, not only at the start of the ride but also at a second point half way through the two-and-a-half-minute experience.
Reaching speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, the coaster will feature 15 interactions with other rides at the famous coastal resort.
“Icon is going to be one of the most talked about, iconic rollercoasters of the future,” said Blackpool Pleasure Beach managing director, Amanda Thompson. “The name speaks for itself as it will be one of the most iconic rides on the planet.
“This is Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s biggest investment to date and will have a real impact on the town and region as a whole.”
With Blackpool Pleasure Beach now open daily for the 2017 season, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see first-hand, work on the incredible new ride in progress.
Work commenced in December 2016 and has, to date, seen over 5,500 tonnes of soil excavated and over 8,000m of pre-cast concrete piles and steel tubes driven up to 12m into the ground.
