Wow. Is that all?

KI uploaded another construction picture as well. It essentially shows them forming the rebar cage for the pile cap. You can also see two wide flange beams that are being used to hold the rig that has all the bolts that will be used to attach the first tower segment to the foundation. Hopefully, the forecast for light snow towards the end of the week won` t delay the pour. After the poor, don`t look for any vertical construction to occur for about a month, as the concrete will need time to cure.

Long time for us, but seems like a short time to get WS operational!

Indeed it is. I`m sure that there is not much contingency built in if we get say, a lot of snow costing construction days.

But at least KI isn`t holding an event that could be completely canceled if the mighty Ohio strikes in the spring...

...which the other Cinci area based Island is....

Exactly. And that event is being held at the prime time for spring floods. And in an area at Coney that is among the first to flood... And Coney is due for a flood. The last flood that reached 52 feet at Coney was six years ago in the spring of 2005!

The fact an event hasn't happened for some time does not make it more or less likely the next time. Just as if a coin flip has landed on tails 25 times in a row, it is no less or more likely to land on tails on the next flip (assuming the coin is not rigged!) Such is the law of probabilities.

shhh... don't you tell that to all those people in Vegas how have sat at the roulette wheel for 4 hours betting on black 35 because its "due its turn" to hit...

;-)

From what I understand, there is science behind some natural events that do increase in likelihood over time - earthquakes as one example. After a major release of energy, and when earthquake insurance rates rise (ironically) it is actually less likely for a location to have another major earthquake.

I supose it could fit under the chaos theroy....?

I supose it could fit under the chaos theroy....?

Would that have anything to do with what may or may not be Cedar Fair's last surviving one at Cedar Point?

From what I understand, there is science behind some natural events that do increase in likelihood over time - earthquakes as one example. After a major release of energy, and when earthquake insurance rates rise (ironically) it is actually less likely for a location to have another major earthquake.

Kind of like this:

(I think about this scenerio in life every now and then when I see something bad happen.)

From what I understand, there is science behind some natural events that do increase in likelihood over time - earthquakes as one example. After a major release of energy, and when earthquake insurance rates rise (ironically) it is actually less likely for a location to have another major earthquake.

But that's because the pressure in the plates have to build in order for a major earth quake to occur. Lets look at California. Those plates haven't moved substantially in years. But say 10 years from now, they pressure builds great enough that they finally move, and a huge earthquake occurs. If the plates move the following year after that, little will happen since all the pressure has been released.

But that is earthquakes. Flooding has no force behind it that builds up, year after year, which could cause a higher probability.

New Photo from KI's twitter:

http://twitpic.com/3mzkun

Coney Mall is going to look sweet in 2011!

New pics up on the KI website. Lot's of work involved in a ride like this, that is for sure.

Eight new photos have been added to the WindSeeker photo gallery on the KI website.

(Quick link: http://www.visitking.../WindSeeker.cfm)

I wonder how long it will be before The Beach Waterpark yells at them about the caption on photo #4...

EDIT: Too slow, as usual. *sigh*

You can see the cement foundation pouring pictures going on today at:

http://twitpic.com/3nlgke

and

http://twitpic.com/3nkeyx

and

http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/fun/blog/2011/1/5/WindSeeker_construction_update.cfm

The last one is just general construction photos

And from yesterday`s blog post, a short description of the foundation for the ride. As I predicted sometime ago, the foundation is comprised of a series of concrete piles, with a concrete pile cap above the piles. In the case of WindSeeker, the pile cap is 6' of concrete!

Here is the segment about the foundation:

You might be interested to know the (12) 42" diameter piers are 33' below grade. The bottom of the 45' wide octagonal foundation pier cap is 7.5' below grade and 6' thick. The 16' diameter pedestral around the (176) anchor bolts extends to grade above the pier cap.

And here is the blog entry: http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/fun/blog/2011/1/5/WindSeeker_construction_update.cfm

I really wish I could see them pour this first hand... or at least see it when it's ready to be poured. It's just massive.

I hear a lot of buzz about WindSeeker from friends and kids at the school I work at. I think CF will get a lot of bang for their buck on these.

Well, I believe that all the concrete pouring for the ride foundation concluded with yesterday`s pour. Now, all the remaining concrete work is likely finish work; ie concrete walks and curbs.

Kings Island has posted a video on their Facebook, with Vice President of Maintenance, Russ Flatt, detailing what has been done, and what will be done involving WindSeeker and the Coney Mall.

Very enthusiastic presenter right there.

I'm really impressed. I tweeted to Kings Island that they should show videos from the off-season, and there it is! That really made my day.

Well, I believe that all the concrete pouring for the ride foundation concluded with yesterday`s pour. Now, all the remaining concrete work is likely finish work; ie concrete walks and curbs.

They still have to do the final pour for WS next week, look at the video KI posted on Facebook.

Yes. I saw that. But, like I also said, actual vertical construction won`t begin for quite some time (early March). This is typical because it allows the concrete in the foundations to properly cure. It will be cool to see pieces starting to arrive in the parking lot in a couple of weeks though.

I assume that curing would probably take less time in sunny California....

Terp, just sayin'

Well, while it may be warmer in sunny California, it still typically takes about 28 days for concrete to gain most of its strength. AND, they just started site work on Knott`s WindSeeker. And they have an open park to work around as well. That in and of itself can restrict the hours in which they can work. And since they were originally supposed to start construction, I`d imagine that the ride is going to open later out there than originally planned. And to site the article that Terpy linked to, Knott`s hopes to open their WindSeeker sometime between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

I assume that curing would probably take less time in sunny California....

I can't drive to sunny California 12 times a summer so this is one Flat Freak that would gladly wait a few extra weeks for his new flat to be well anchored. I'd rather it not tip over onto The Racer.

I assume that curing would probably take less time in sunny California....

I can't drive to sunny California 12 times a summer so this is one Flat Freak that would gladly wait a few extra weeks for his new flat to be well anchored. I'd rather it not tip over onto The Racer.

or action theatre

I can't wait to see the vertical pieces come up in March!