Seaworld Eye Closes in May

[Gazza]

^ And we all know how much people hate travelling rides in parks.

[dreamworld_rulz]

I got the email about it today. I thought about copying and pasting it but thought that someone else would do it for me.

[diesal11]

Ok this makes no sense... Why erect a multi-million dollar attraction then take it down! Why get it in the first place if you don't plan to keep it? Does anyone actually know the reason they put it there in the first place?

it was cause that the surfrider at wet'n'wild was ment to be at seaworld where the SW eye is they put the surfrider at wet'n'wild cause it would "fit in" at w'n'w more that it would at seaworld

[rappa]

I sort of agree, I think the Eye looks much better from outside the park than within it. I would have liked to see them rebuild a permanant Eye on the same site but it looks like that won't happen now.

[saberon]

Sea World’s impressive 60m high giant observation wheel is set to leave the Gold Coast at the end of January 2008 when the temporary lease expires. The Eye closes following the Australia Day long weekend. Since November 2006, the Eye had been enjoyed by over 680,000 Sea World guests.

[dreamworld_rulz]

Why say it's closing in May when the lease expires in January? I know it's only a temporary lease but they shouldn't advertise it as May.

Edited January 9, 2008 by dreamworld_rulz

[joz]

This is a really old thread, and it was May as in 2007.

[Gold Coaster]

Thread delivers! Voted 5!

[New display name]

15Jan08 As found on the gold coast bulletin web site. “THE Sea World Eye could move into the heart of Surfers Paradise, with plans to relocate it to the transit centre rooftop. Council officers yesterday met with the wheel's manufacturer, Ronald Bussink Co, to discuss the shift. After a year at the theme park, the 60m tall ferris wheel was to be removed from Sea World following the Australia Day weekend. But Mayor Ron Clarke and local councillor Susie Douglas have worked together to retain the attraction. Cr Douglas said the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre rooftop would be perfect for The Eye. "This would be a great coup for the entire Gold Coast and such a crowd puller," she said. "We have received fantastic feedback from tourists about The Eye and we believe that if we put it in the middle of town it will be an even bigger crowd-puller," she said. The plan is to retain The Eye on the site for at least two years before any future development. This fresh move has raised questions over the future redevelopment of the transit centre site, which also includes the Bruce Bishop car park. The council economic development office is preparing a report examining six expressions of interest from developers including Sunland, the Raptis Group and City Pacific. "Once The Eye is in place it will probably rise about 15 storeys into the air," said Cr Douglas. "That will give great views looking out across the city." Negotiations are ongoing but Cr Douglas said she hoped The Eye relocation could occur before the end of the month. Southport councillor Dawn Crichlow said she had received dozens of reports praising The Eye. Previously located in Paris and later Birmingham, The Eye was shipped to Australia in 24 containers.”

[dreamworld_rulz]

That's a great idea. The transit centre is a fantastic location for it. Lets hope it gets approved. Thanks for posting that skeetafly.

[T-bone]

Talk about an eyesore if this goes ahead, whats the point? You aren't really seeing much, except for some buildings, some canals, and an obstructed view of the mountains. Seems rather pointless to me, and I for one hope this doesn't happen.

[coasterfreak]

If they want to keep the ride in QLD (because of all the great feedback according to the article), why don't they just let Sea World keep the ride in their park. I thought that Sea World/Village had petitioned the council to keep the ride.

[BNErider]

Damn, I was a jerk in some of my older posts in this topic. Glad I've grown up. Back on topic, If it stays at Sea World, then the council don't get the money. The centre is council owned right?

Edited January 16, 2008 by ash.1111

[New display name]

Just came across some more information on the removal of the eye. KEN Jackson wants to see the Sea World Eye stay on the Gold Coast but will lose it to another location unless the city council makes a decision soon. It emerged yesterday that states including Victoria and Western Australia, as well as overseas destinations, are all after The Eye. Mr Jackson is the director of The Eye Investment Company, which he says is set to buy the 60m giant ferris wheel for $8.5 million. The Gold Coast company has already laid down a hefty deposit for The Eye, but Mr Jackson said yesterday it would look at other options if the Gold Coast City Council did not approve a new location for the ferris wheel by the end of next week. Sea World will start dismantling The Eye on Tuesday and Mr Jackson said his firm was interested in the purchase only if the wheel could be kept on the Coast. The Surfers Paradise Transit Centre has been proposed as the new home and on Monday the council gave tentative support for it, with the council's economic development department fast-tracking a feasibility report. The report will examine the impact of The Eye on traffic near the proposed relocation site and safety and construction issues. Mr Jackson said the council had to act quickly. "We're purchasing it from the owner on the conditions we get a site for it on the Coast," he said. "The owner has got interest from Perth and a major city in Victoria as well as options overseas. "Why should we let it go to another city when we have got people here trying to purchase it to keep it for the Coast? "We'd love to put it anywhere but we need confirmation council will give us a site and we thought the Transit Centre would be ideal." The Eye Investment Company would need a site guaranteed for lease for at least two years until a permanent home was found. The model erected at Sea World was made by Swiss company Ronald Bussink Professional Rides and is the world's largest transportable observation wheel. Since its arrival in November, 2006, more than 680,000 people have ridden on The Eye. Storey and Castle town planner Jake Storey is working with Mr Jackson to keep The Eye on the Coast and is in talks with the council to secure the transit centre site. "It's a well-recognised facility and a very important tourist attraction," he said. "We certainly don't want to see it go and all reports we have had is that the community feels the same. "We're simply not just putting it in the transit centre. "We intend to appropriately embellish the space and improve the amenities of the site and the surrounding area."

[Gazza]

After seeing it briefly on TV in a news update (They seemed to think it was still at SW) and subsequently finding this article it seems as if the transit center roof is indeed a likely new home for the wheel. What are my thoughts...Sort of indifferent really, I'm a bit over them now really given they seem to have become the latest copycat trend in the tourist industry.

Edited August 19, 2008 by Gazza

[DaptoFunlandGuy]

Sorry Gazza, I'm shocked actually - it's rare for something in the forums to go unnoticed by you, but in this case, it slipped by: Ferris Wheel Construction at Southbank edit: Not to mention your own comments are on that thread as well, and that thread identifies it as being the SW eye...? further edit: and of course my geographical brain only catching up with me linking that southbank is in brisbane and not surfers paradise - so now QLD's southern end will have TWO of these bloody things?

Edited August 19, 2008 by AlexB

[joz]

Two of the world's least reliable and poorly designed wheels within 100km of each other? Yes, all those constant jokes about Southeast Queensland being a cyclops can be put to bed, as its official, we'll now have two eyes! I've got a hold of an early draft of the press release, and boy does it make for some interesting reading:

The Gold Coast Eye set for middle of Surfers! At 20 stories, and wedged firmly in the middle of Surfers, the new Gold Coast Eye is sure to attract tourists who can now pay to enjoy a view which is only a little bit lower then then what they enjoy for free from their hotel room! On fine days expect to be able to see as far as the surrounding buildings, and enjoy the local sights, like a small sliver of ocean, old blokes bowling at the nearby bowls club, and that dodgy park across the road from the transit center that all the gay guys use. At night, you'll be treated to a birds eye view of the cities cultural heart coming alive! See muggings, hit and runs, and just maybe, you'll spot someone who you can score drugs from after the ride! Locals who previously rode the Eye at Seaworld need not worry about the vastly inferior views the new location offers, as you'll be able to ride the Gold Coast Eye at a slightly discounted rate. And since we've removed all the modifications that Seaworld made to the ride to make it safe, we'll be launching a new competition; If your Gondola flips upside down and you stay inside then you're an instant winner! So come and ride the all new (sort of) Gold Coast Eye - the perfect combination of barely moving and looking at the outside of high rises from about halfway up! Please note: The Gold Coast Eye does not operate in light wind (which means about 50% of the time on the Gold Coast), rain, makes loud noises in a sprinkle of rain and due to its flooring, is not recommended for those in high heels or those who fall over easily. Due to the nature of this attraction, those who get bored easily should not ride

Edited August 25, 2008 by joz

[cadboy]

LOL LOL LOL Sounds like something from AAL ( Australain Amusement Lowdown) Thanks Joz