Recently quite a large area of SWs carpark was fenced off, and from the recent nearmap update (May 7), we can see that construction has begun. I'm not sure if council applications for this can be found, but I can confirm that this area of the carpark will feature an all new helicopter hangar/centre for the park and is due to be completed later this year

That's a big area, how many helicopters are they planning on having, 20?

The carpark gets pretty full a lot of the time. Not sure reducing it is a good idea. 

Also, why do they need more space for helicopters? 

@westical It will have the capacity to store 4 helicopters

@pushbutton maybe the current space will be utilised for new purpose/s and to access the helicopter tours, you no longer enter the park. A couple years ago when I had the experience with a friend, we had repurchased the experience, but my friend didn't have a pass, so we entered the park backstage to actually get to the entrance/lockers. So maybe they will be trying to avoid this and will enable for all additional experiences (helicopter, whale watching, cruises, tours, etc) to be accessed in the one area

Edited May 22, 20197 yr by themagician

Makes sense I suppose. I still don't think they can really afford to lose carpark spaces. 

I rarely go to Sea World these days, so it won't affect me. 

1 hour ago, westical said:

That's a big area, how many helicopters are they planning on having, 20?

The major part of the carpark that is fenced off is about (north to south) 100 metres long. This distance is usually the minimum distance for a temporary helipad (as in, what is required for emergency landing). Given the broadwater to the west, the 30 metre width (east west) isn't so bad.

The Wonderland carpark helipad was also 100m square.

Given the info - that they will store 4 choppers, the space taken up actually seems reasonable - storage for four and an appropriate landing pad.

Just a guess on my part, but they will probably construct more than 1 pad, so that they can have multiple flights on the go. It's not always busy, but during their peak i've seen a fair amount of people waiting their turn, so the ability to land more than one at a time seems like a good business move.

You've got to land them, store them, and work on them.

Possibly moving them away from the park a bit, as suggested to open up for more clientele such as the nearby hotels and airport transfers. Also gets them further away from the animals.

SeaWorld currently have 3 helicopters so I suppose it adds space for an extra. if one is under maintenance they can at least hire a 4th copter and store it in a suitable spot.

The first steel works are going in now 

Around a third of the external structure has already been built 

New facility will be opening this September 

That's one ugly shed on the Broadwater.

6 hours ago, Skeeta said:

That's one ugly shed on the Broadwater.

...hangar.

At least wait until they add the theming.

19 hours ago, themagician said:

So much for the hotel that was in the masterplan.

Yeah that looks like shiiiiiiit. 

 

Don't think a sign and a few palm trees is fixing that. 

8 hours ago, Slick said:

So much for the hotel that was in the masterplan.

 

7 hours ago, joz said:

Yeah that looks like shiiiiiiit. 

 

Don't think a sign and a few palm trees is fixing that. 

 

Fixed it...?

 

Edited July 6, 20197 yr by Whombex

On 06/07/2019 at 7:07 PM, Whombex said:

Fixed it...?

To be honest, that's a better look there, than in a turn of the century main street.

@Skeeta You were correct

 

I never get tired of hearing that.  😂

 

What a dog's breakfast SW has created here.  Shame on SW.

14 hours ago, themagician said:

@Skeeta You were correct

Yeah, but about what exactly? He's right about so many things...

A banner advertising the centre facility has been added onto the construction fencing. And there is a sign at the entrance of the park saying where the entrance to the centre is (even though it’s not finished)

Today’s update

Bizarroland!