Playland's world-renowned wooden roller-coaster turns 65 - Action News
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British Columbia

Playland's world-renowned wooden roller-coaster turns 65

A Vancouver landmark that has delighted fair-goers, thrill-seekers, and roller-coaster enthusiasts for decadescelebrated its 65th birthday Wednesday.

The coaster opened in 1958 and was constructed entirely from B.C. Douglas fir

A wooden roller-coaster is pictured with people going down a drop in the yellow car.
Lana Popham, B.C. Minister of Tourism Arts Culture, and Sport, front left, and Vancouver city councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung, front right, ride the wooden roller-coaster at Playland at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds for the 65th anniversary of the coaster in Vancouver on August 2, 2023 (Ethan Cairns/CBC)

A Vancouver landmark that has delighted fair-goers, thrill-seekers, and roller-coaster enthusiasts for decadescelebrated its 65th birthday Wednesday.

And after recent refurbishments, the Pacific Northwest Exhibition (PNE)said itswoodenroller-coasterishere to stay for decades to come.

City councilor Sarah Kirby-Yung declared Wednesday "Playland wooden roller-coaster day" on behalf of the City of Vancouver.

She recalled childhood memories of working up the courage to ride the coaster.

"When you go up the tracks it has this clickety-clack sound that modern technology can't imitate," said Kirby-Yung."It's pure exhilaration."

A black and white photo shows the peak of the wooden roller-coaster in the background of the fair, people dressed in vintage looking oufits walk around.
A photo taken in the 1950's shows the wooden rollercoaster in the background of the PNE fair grounds. (Submitted by the PNE)

She said the city wanted to mark the occasion and remind Vancouverites how unique the rideis.

The wooden roller-coaster, which opened in 1958, was designed by well-known ride designer Carl Phare.

According to the Vancouver Heritage Association, it was made entirely of B.C.Douglas fir and cost $200,000 at the time to make (over $2 million in today's money).

The association said it was Phare's last design, and the one he was most proud of, having put everything he learned over his career into it.

PNE President and CEO Shelley Frost said Phare's grandson donated the original blueprints of the coaster's design to the PNE last month.

A sheet of blue paper with markings in the shape of the wooden roller-coaster.
The wooden coaster's original blueprint designed by Carl Phare, donated last month to the PNE by his grandson. (Submitted by the PNE)

Frost said the ride is inspected daily by a"specialized coaster crew." She said at least $250,000 goes into updating the structure every year.

And she said a recent $2 million refurbishment and a two-year shutdown ensured the coaster is ready to thrill generations to come.

A coaster enthusiast favourite

The 90 second-long ride reaches speeds of up to76 km/h. After thefirst initial climb, the entire ride is powered by gravity.

American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) designatedPlayland's wooden coasteras a "Coaster Landmark" and a "Coaster Classic" in 2009.

The organizationconsiderswooden roller-coasters "an endangered species," as they have been slowly phased out with the rise of rides made from steel.

ACE member Tim Baldwin told CBCNewson the coaster's 60th anniversary that riding itis "just magnificent."

A large sign says
The wooden roller-coaster sign is pictured during an event marking its 65th anniversary at Playland at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds, in Vancouver, B.C. on August 2, 2023 (Ethan Cairns/CBC)

'More oomph'

According to Frost, coaster enthusiasts come from all around the world to ride it.

"There's something really special about it," she said.

Many enjoy wooden roller-coasters in particular because the structure shifts slightly as riding carsgo around it, according to Frost.

"It makes the rideeven more exciting and have a little bit more oomph in those turns," said Frost.

Wooden coaster memories

Frost said the coaster has cultural significance for many Vancouverites, as it's been the site of many double dares, first dates, and even a marriage.

In the early 2000s, a couple, accompanied by their wedding party and a pastor, had their marriage ceremony right at the top of the initial drop.

"Just as they were saying their 'I do's' they let it go," said Frost. "It was kind of a spectacular experience."

About 12 dogs are perched throughout the seats of the coaster's car. They look like they are smiling.
The PNE's Superdogs are pictured on the coaster while stopped. (Submitted by the PNE)

The coaster also providesan educational tool for many childrenwho come to learn the basics of physics while enjoying a fun ride, Frost said.

With files from Roshini Nair