Warwick fun park back up and running after damage

Some of the equipment was damaged in the storms last week
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A fun park in Warwick is back up and fully running after being damaged last week during the rough weather.

The fun park has been in St Nicholas Park for more than 40 years and Jay Wheatley and his family took over running it around 20 years ago.

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Last week some of the fun park's equipment was damaged during a storm but the owners have worked to get the rides back up and running for this weekend.

The fun park has now been repaired. Photo suppliedThe fun park has now been repaired. Photo supplied
The fun park has now been repaired. Photo supplied
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'We may be down but we will get back up' says Warwick fun park owner

"We spoke to the council on the morning of August 12 to get their assistance with this matter.

"They did a fantastic job in supporting us.

"They had their contractors on site first thing on the morning of August 12 the tree was cut up by chainsaw into sections and then lifted out of the fun park by our lorry mounted crane and another specialist crane brought in by the council.

Part of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo suppliedPart of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo supplied
Part of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo supplied

"We then worked everyday through the weekend until Tuesday (August 18) to assess the rides and conduct necessary repair work."

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Jay and the team said that, of the rides that were affected by the tree falling (the train ride, rollercoaster and flying fish) none of them were written off.

The train ride was back running on Tuesday and the rolleroaster and flying fish are both running again as of Thursday.

Jay added: "The roof on the Flying Fish ride was a write off (as it took the bulk of the impact from the tree) and has been removed.

Repairs have taken place at the fun park to get it fully up and running this weekend. Photo suppliedRepairs have taken place at the fun park to get it fully up and running this weekend. Photo supplied
Repairs have taken place at the fun park to get it fully up and running this weekend. Photo supplied

"A replacement roof will be installed in due course. However the running gear was undamaged and every ride in the park will be operating this weekend.

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"We have had to scrap some equipment - we had a "jungle blasta" coin operated machine which was completely written off as well as some prize crane grabber machines.

"We feel as though we've been very lucky that the damage wasn't worse.

"However we can't complain at all about the support we've received."

Part of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo suppliedPart of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo supplied
Part of the fun park was damaged in the storms last week. Photo supplied

On Saturday (August 22) the fun park team will be having a small 'reopening event' where the Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Terry Morris, will be formally reopening the site at 11am.

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Jay added: "We would like to extend our thanks to Warwick District Council, the councils' contractors and the people of Warwick for their support during a difficult week on top of an already difficult year.

"But we are glad to be back open again and hope that people will continue to support us moving forward with their custom.

"We're going to also be offering free rides on the train ride at the front of the Fun Park from 11am to noon as a small token of thanks for all the well wishes we've received from the local community during the last week."