Silverwood's Growing

[wolfblood]

In a recent news article, the Kootenai County Commissioners granted SW the re-zoning of 95 acres for commercial use.

www.kxly.com/news/28853815/detail.html

As the article points out, some of the new land will be used for things like a new interchange for the Highway 95 expansion. That and early estimates show the park will probably have about 40 acres to expand directly into.

[jspider]

so that'd be South of the Park? so they'd put stuff behind the current coasters or? Isn't there a road back there now? I'm real curious about how all this works, does anyone want to highlight this stuff on Google maps?

Does this mean they won't expand into the airstrip?

If they can get more land to expand into though it's always a good thing . I don't want to see Riddlers Revenge at Silverwood though

[voodoobones]

I don't know how they will expand south. There is a road that separates the property. However they did mention that they would put in a new interchange which is greatly needed. when I was there early this month I was a bit concerned trying to pull back out on the highway at the end of the day from the parking lot.

They do seem to have a lot of room to the north to expand so I wonder why they are not pursuing that option?

[skinnyguy]

^I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that the park owns that road - it's just a service road they use, so I wouldn't think that'd be an issue.

I think the interchange would be a good idea - especially with the park growing a lot. Normally we leave so late that Highway 95 isn't too bad to turn on, but better to stay ahead of that problem rather than wait for it to become a nightmare before making the roads better/safer/less congested.

It will be interesting to see what they do with the land. If they really wind up with 40 acres left to use (after the sewage plant and the interchange) - that's about double the size of the water park right now (if I'm not mistaken), which is plenty of space to for all kinds of things. Oh the possibilities....

[skinnyguy]

Oh and re: jspider - I'm in complete agreement. Although I love that ride, I just don't want to see the park turn into SFMM. Silverwood, learn from Knott's and DON'T do what they did - keep the charm!

I had to laugh that someone in the article said they should add something like Splash Mountain to Silverwood. That would be pretty awesome, but something that elaborate is...well...not something I'd see in Silverwood's future.

[skinnyguy]

I came across another article related to this expansion, but it was from earlier in the year (April 2011), before the re-zoning was actually finalized.

www.cdapress.com/news/local_news/article_731f7597-825b-5e01-9842-fac1d916d060.html

Two things.

1. Interesting that they confirm in the article that a hotel on the premises will never happen. That's quite a stark contrast from what we've heard in the past. Makes me wonder why Gary changed his mind?

2. I have to laugh at the lady that was complaining about how Silverwood has brought noise and a bad view to the area. And she moved there six years ago. Really? It's not like the theme park just cropped up last year. With the two big wooden coasters and the waterpark in place back in 2005, I would think one would consider settling down a little farther away if it was that much of a concern. And drawing a comparison between Silverwood and ANAHEIM, CA??? Pu-lease! I don't even know where to start with that one. I guess no matter what you do, there will always be someone who complains.

[jspider]

Who knows, they do still have the campgrounds I guess? I dunno if I'm dissapointed on their being no hotel or feel better knowing that space in park will be dedicated to the park. If they build a hotel near the campgrounds though it'd make sense to me.


I have no idea why someone 2 miles away is complaining about sitelines. I don't think you can even SEE Silverwood that far away. It's also set pretty far away from neighborhoods for anyone to really be hearing any kind of noise. I think there's a train that makes more if I remember right. I think someone needs to drive that lady out to Anaheim. Silverwood doesn't even have nightly fireworks least none that I'm aware of.


I don't know what it was about this years Scarywood but I now REALLY feel the park is ready for a shoot at the targets darkride. Maybe because its of the crowds and rain. A darkride could draw crowds in as well as provide shelter from the rain. Blood Bayou gives me great confidence in Silverwood's ability to maintain special effects and such though I guess running things every day would be a challenge.

I suppose a new flatride would also be cool if its not something found in a Carnival. Something that could look scenic and remain open for Scarywood.

I dunno I guess I'm already itching for more growth especially after seeing the crowds.

[styvx]

anaheim? puh-lease. this is a bitter, unhappy woman who IMO should move FURTHER out into the middle of nowhere so no one has to listen to her complain about non-issues. she probably benefits from all the taxes silverwood pays, and all the supporting businesses and services that their existence creates/sustains, and yet she chooses to whine. get. a. life.

-styvx

[wolfblood]

^^ Yes, they still have the campgrounds.

Now with the off-season going on, I'm certainly wondering if SW is going to do another consecutive string of attractions like last time? (Panic Plunge, Boulder Beach expansion, Aftershock)

If they are doing that again with the new attractions for this year being the first part, then the the next coaster for the park will be for 2013.

If that's the case then I have a interesting gut feeling on what it might be, now this week IAAPA happened in Orlando, and Theme Park Review got this info from Rocky Mountain Coasters.

RMC was able to talk about two projects happening in 2013, one coaster will be getting the Ibox treatment that the Texas Giant got...while in another park they'll be getting a brand new coaster with RMC's Topper Track and new trains designed by RMC.



Naturally they couldn't say what parks are getting what, but I have a gut feeling Silverwood might be the one to get the brand new coaster from them...especially considering the history the two have. RMC built Timber Terror, Tremors, Aftershock and pretty much everything in Boulder Beach. Not to mention they're based in Idaho.

While this is all just a theory, it's a fun one to think about until it's finally announced somewhere.