The ballpark amusement area at Modern Woodmen Park — which already includes an awesome Ferris wheel — expanded last night with the addition of a “Space Camp” ride by the Quad Cities River Bandits (Low Class A; Midwest League).
“Space Camp” is an electrically-powered four-seat gyroscope manufactured by Amusements International. “Space Camp” will spin its four riders upside-down and around in a roll and tumble motion to give them the feeling of being weightless in space. Developed from NASA’s gyroscope used to train astronauts, the ride is unique in its ability to carry four people simultaneously through the experience of weightless motion found in space. It is also unique in that the degree to which the gyroscope rotates is in direct correlation to the weight of each of the four passengers – change the weight of any one passenger and the gyroscope will spin differently.
“Space Camp is another exciting and unique addition to the amusements lineup at Modern Woodmen Park,” said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. “We have lifted people high above the ballpark on the Ferris wheel, and sent them soaring on the Zip Line. Now they can experience the weightless thrill of outer space like the NASA astronauts with Space Camp!”
“Space Camp” will require three amusement coupons to ride. Riders must be between 54 and 74 inches in height. “Space Camp” and the 105-foot Ferris wheel are both open during all River Bandits home games, normally beginning 90 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. The rides are also open every Saturday morning – weather permitting – from 10 a.m. to noon, as well as weekend non-game days: Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
There are more rides on the way.
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