Conneaut Lake Park is a place shrouded in history, and now it has a chance to see a piece of that history brought back to life.
Park officials and patrons alike are rejoicing after the Blue Streak, one of the park's historic roller coasters, won a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project allowing the historic coaster to return to operation.
The 73-year-old coaster, which opened in 1938, had been out of operation since 2006.
It was reopened less than a week after voting on the grant recipients, but was closed at midnight on Aug. 31.
It was in need of new timbers, a realignment of the track, restoration to the cars and general maintenance before the ride could be reopened.
According to park officials, the cost of the getting the ride up and running again was somewhere in the ballpark of $125,000. In addition to the grant, significant funds for the project were raised through various fundraising events and private donations.
The Blue Streak is the sixth oldest wooden rollercoaster in the country and, earlier this summer, was named a Roller Coaster Landmark by American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE.)
The historic ride was put back to operation with a V.I.P. event a week ago. The event gave ACE members and supporters the opportunity to ride the coaster before it was open to the general public Labor Day weekend.
Rides on Blue Streak cost $3, in addition to the park's regular admission price. These funds will go into further restoration and maintenance of the ride.
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