WindSeeker Construction is underway

[THE_BEASTmaster]

Another WindSeeker construction photo from the park on Facebook.

WindSeeker Construction Photo

[Delirium13]

Edit: The_BEASTmaster beat me to it, but I'll keep my post up for those who do not have Facebook.

From Kings Island's Facebook page:

That hole is huge! I'm getting more and more excited to see the finished product.

[THE_BEASTmaster]

Ok. I thought you beat me. Who beat who though?

[IndyGuy4KI]

It looks like it got scooted a lot closer towards The Racer. Unless I was mistaken in previous pics it looked like it was going to be right square in the center of the midway right in front of the theater entrance.

[LordSkippy]

They'd better be...a huge gaping hole in Coney Mall would be quite obtrusive.

[CoastersRZ]

Depending when they cap off the foundation, I wouldn`t expect to see vertical construction for roughly four weeks after the final concrete pour. That is the point in time that the concrete has cured and gained most of its strength. It will continue to cure years after being cast in place though. In any event, I wouldn`t anticipate seeing any vertical construction until at least mid to late January. Not to mention that there may not be much work going on at the site the next week and a half with the holidays.

[The Interpreter]

I take it that schedule is not set in concrete...

Terp, trying always for a firm foundation....

[flightoffear1996]

From what I have read in the fast is that concrete actually never complettly dries.

[CoastersRZ]

Very well done Interpreter!

Concrete never "dries." Concrete cures, which is a chemical process called hydration. (The water chemically reacts with the cement in concrete). When it is cold out, the process of hydration slows down. Which is why they often use concrete blankets to try and keep the concrete warm (concrete curing is an exothermic reaction, so it produces heat once it starts to cure). You can see concrete blankets draped over the form work in that picture. Also, admixtures can be added to the concrete to help speed up the setting process when it is cold out.

in the summer months, the opposite problem is true. The concrete cures quicker, and there is less working time before it begins to set. There are also admixtures that can be added to slow down the curing process and lengthen the working time.

[TylerRider]

How deep do you think the hole is?

[benred23]

How deep do you think the hole is?

"Bend Over and I'll show Ya.."

I'm so sorry, That Christmas Vacation quote just fit so well.. Lol!

Anyways! Im guessing Prolly around 10 feet or so. That Ladder to the left looks like about an 8-10 foot ladder.. Maybe 30 or 40 feet wide... Huge!

[TylerRider]

How deep do you think the hole is?

"Bend Over and I'll show Ya.."

I'm so sorry, That Christmas Vacation quote just fit so well.. Lol!

Anyways! Im guessing Prolly around 10 feet or so. That Ladder to the left looks like about an 8-10 foot ladder.. Maybe 30 or 40 feet wide... Huge!

I actually was hoping nobody would make a comment like that.

[Delirium13]

More WindSeeker/Coney Mall construction pictures available on the park's website.

http://www.visitkingsisland.com/public/park/rides/thrill_rides/WindSeeker.cfm

[KIBOB]

So it looks as though the park is using red brick style/textured pavers to rework the surface in Coney Mall. In my opinion, I think that the pavers will look great, and keep the classical feel to the area. Thank goodness they are keeping to the style of the area rather than using the same pavers that were used in Rivertown and PS which look great, but in those areas. Looking great KI!

[KIfan73]

Can't wait to take a walk on those pavers.

[IndyGuy4KI]

Can't wait to take a walk on those pavers.

I agree, the Wind should not be as radiating hot as before while you Seek the new ride at the end of the Coney Mall midway!

[HTCO]

Those pavers are looking good. Can't wait to see Cony Mall and WindSeeker in 2011!

[TOPGUN1993]

Do they typically remove the ride signage during the offseason? (Scrambler)

[LongliveKingsCobra]

Im sure they do if they want to repaint it and do some touch ups to the signs...just like the cars?

[thekidd33]

With so much work going on over there they may just have taken them down as a precaution.

[flightoffear1996]

Now only if they would repave the parking lot.

[PREMiERdrum]

Now only if they would repave the parking lot.

That would take A LOT of pavers!

[flightoffear1996]

It woul dlook so much niver even with a fresh coat of blacktop.

[CoastersRZ]

I think a repaving of the parking lot (in phases if necessary) is something that is needed soon. The parking lot is simply starting to fall apart. I would like to see, the white poles around the gold pass lot taken out and planters with trees installed as landscaped medians (much like they did surrounding the handicapped and VIP lots several years ago) to separate the lots. It would certainly be more aesthetically pleasing. But at least Kings Island`s parking lot has clearly delineated parking stalls. When I went to Cedar Point in September, you could barely make out the parking stalls because the striping was so faded!

[Jasper]

I like the look of the new brick path in Coney but it is going to feel much different than the traditional blacktop pavement. All of these photos are making me anxious to get to the park in 2011.

[The Interpreter]

Oh, really? For a very long time, the hard surface in what was then called Old Coney was red....as pictures here have often indicated. For those of us of a certain age, the pavers help to simulate the long since passed past.

[pkiboy]

How deep do you think the hole is?

"Bend Over and I'll show Ya.."

I'm so sorry, That Christmas Vacation quote just fit so well.. Lol!

Anyways! Im guessing Prolly around 10 feet or so. That Ladder to the left looks like about an 8-10 foot ladder.. Maybe 30 or 40 feet wide... Huge!

I actually was hoping nobody would make a comment like that.

I was going to say Thats what she said but I think thats the best smart Azz answer ive seen yet on KIC.

[TOPGUN1993]

Oh, really? For a very long time, the hard surface in what was then called Old Coney was red....as pictures here have often indicated. For those of us of a certain age, the pavers help to simulate the long since passed past.

[CoastersRZ]

You have to be careful. I think that the red pavement in your picture Paul, shows not pavers but asphalt that has been sealed with a colored sealant. I could be wrong, but I am fairly certain that they used color sealant/paint on some of the asphalt in the early years of the park. Coney Mall, however, was originally paved in pavers when the park first opened. With the addition of pavers to Coney Mall this year, the remaining asphalt areas are dwindling. It would be nice if they eventually converted the rest of the asphalt areas to pavers. But that would be expensive and take years. I`m still surprised they are converting most of Coney Mall to pavers for the 2011 season. That is a very big undertaking. And it certainly isn`t cheap either!

[The Interpreter]

That's why I said the red pavers will remind some of us of the red hard surface Old Coney once had....right?