Tropicana officials noncommittal on plans for roller coaster
June 18, 2013 - 4:05 pm
Management at the Tropicana was noncommittal on Tuesday about what arrangements it has with the developer that has proposed a high-rise roller coaster on the site.
“We have been approached by many companies, given the quality of our location. However, no commitments have been made,” said Fred Harmon, the Tropicana’s chief marketing officer, in a statement.
U.S. Thrill Rides LLC, based in Windemere, Fla., has submitted plans to the Federal Aviation Administration for a 650-foot-tall fusion of an observation tower and roller coaster called the Polercoaster. Maps included with the application show the tower on the Tropicana property, requiring approval by the agency due to the proximity of McCarran International Airport.
U.S. Thrill Rides filed the plan with the FAA in April, but there is no timetable for when the agency will act. Likewise, the financing and location have not been determined.
The top of the Polercoaster, reached by glass elevators, would contain an observation deck, dining and shopping, much like the Stratosphere tower. A spiral inside the support pillars would guide the self-propelled, eight-person cars to the top, while the looping and turning rail attached to the outside of the pillars would be the ride down.
Contact reporter Tim O’Reiley at
toreiley@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5290.