By Pat Minelli

Staff Writer

Roller-coaster enthusiasts will have an extra bounce in their steps these days.

Valleyfair has announced it will build a $6.5 million wooden roller-coaster for the 2007 season. It will be the Shakopee amusement park’s seventh roller-coaster and the first made of wood since the High Roller, the park’s first and only when the park opened in 1976.

The ride, called “Renegade,” was designed by Great Coasters International Inc. of Sunbury, Pa. It is described as a “world class” roller coaster that “combines the best features of out-and-back and twister coasters.”

“There won’t be a dull moment on this ride," said Alan Schwartz, Valleyfair’s vice president and general manager. “This will be a lively, smooth ride and an exciting addition to our collection of roller coasters.”

Renegade will be a two-minute ride with a twisting first drop, a near-ground high-speed S-turn and a high-speed station fly-by. The ride will reach a top speed of 52 mph. The coaster, which will be 3,113 feet long, will stand 104 feet high and riders will experience a drop of 91 feet.

There will be two 24-passenger trains, with four riders per car and six cars per train.

Work on the ride will begin as soon as permits are obtained from the city of Shakopee, a process that has already begun. Wood and other materials have already been delivered to the amusement park. The public can observe progress on the construction on Valleyfair’s Web site at Valleyfair.com.

This summer, Valleyfair introduced the Xtreme Swing, a $6 million ride. Other recent ride additions included the $10 million Wild Thing, another roller coaster, in 1996; Power Tower ($10 million) in 2000; and Steel Venom ($8.5 million), 2003.

Valleyfair is owned and operated by Cedar Fair L.P., a publicly traded partnership. In addition to Valleyfair, Cedar Fair owns and operates 11 other amusement parks, five water parks, one indoor water park resort, and six hotels. Cedar Fair also owns and operates Star Trek: The Experience, an interactive novelty located in Las Vegas, and operates the Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

Valleyfair is spread over 90 acres and features about 75 rides and attractions. The park says it has invested about $97 million at the site since it opened in 1976. 

 NEW RIDE AT A GLANCE 

Cost: $6.5 million

Designer: Great Coasters International, of Sunbury, Pa.

Track length: 3,113 feet

Lift height: 104 feet

Ride duration: Two minutes

Maximum speed: 52 mph

Trains: Two, with six cars per train

Riders: 24 per train (48 total)

Capacity: 850 riders per hour

Total turns: 19

Total crossovers: 10

Special features: Twisting first drop; low-to-ground high, speed S-turn; high-speed station fly-by

 Source: Valleyfair