New Park Attraction Under Wraps
Lebanon Daily News
by Chris Sholly - Staff Writer
August 20, 2010

HERSHEY – Hersheypark officials are seeking special permission from Derry Township for a new “attraction” that would open in the amusement park in 2012.  But they won’t say what it is.

Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Co. representatives presented their request for what they called “Attraction 2012” during a meeting of the Derry Township Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday night.

Tim Pryzbylowski, Vice President of Century Engineering of Hunt Valley, Md., said the company is seeking special exceptions for maximum height and minimum front-yard areas, as well as a variance related to disturbing sensitive environmental areas.  He said some of the most recent attractions, such as the Boardwalk and Midway America areas, have become quite popular.

“As a result, demand has increased greatly for the rides in that area, which on very busy days can impact our guests’ experience,” Przybylowski told the board.  “Our goal with this proposed attraction is to help rebalance the park with a marquee attraction located in the historic Hollow area of the park.”

The Hollow, also known in Hersheypark circles as the Comet Hollow, is a low-lying area bisected by the Spring Creek.  It is surrounded in part by the wooden Comet and steel SooperDooperLooper coasters.

Przybylowski said the company would like relief to construct a new attraction to a height of 212.2 feet, or 12.2 feet over what is permitted.  “The proposed height of this proposed attraction has become industry normality,” he said.  “It’s not the tallest attraction in Hersheypark; that would be the Kissing Tower at 330 feet.”

Other amusement parks that compete with the company are building attractions between 300 and 460 feet in height, he pointed out. “New attractions are needed to keep the park competitive,” he said.  “The additional 12.2 feet in height will not create any more impact or change the essential character of the area.”

Two existing buildings used for catering in the Hollow would be removed to make room for the new attraction, he added.  The proposal also calls for the construction of 32 support columns within the area of a manmade pond on the site, which he said would not have an environmental impact on the pond. The tree-line buffer along Park Boulevard, where the attraction would be built, will remain intact, Przybylowski said. “This new attraction will help reinvigorate and provide greater guest interest in the Hollow area and provide some relief to the Boardwalk and Midway areas,” he said.

The Zoning Hearing Board has 45 days to make a decision on the request.  Although it appears the new attraction would be another roller coaster, company spokesman Garrett Gallia declined to confirm what it would be.

“No one is more excited to talk about the coming attraction than we are, and soon we’ll be ready to share information with the public, but not quite yet,” Gallia said after the meeting.

Century Engineering also has worked on the Gettysburg Battlefield Museum and Visitors Center project in Adams County.