Cedar Point Shutters Wildcat Roller Coaster Before Park Opening

Sandusky, OH — Cedar Point hasn't even opened for the season and the park just announced that when it does the Wildcat roller coaster will not be part of the fun. After 32 years of operation the roller coaster is coming down as part of an expansion of Celebration Plaza, where a new summer nighttime show "Luminosity" is planned to take place.

"Wildcat was coming to the end of its useful life," Cedar Point said in a statement. "With the desired expansion of Celebration Plaza, coupled with the low ridership and increased maintenance costs, Cedar Point has decided to accelerate the removal of the ride."

Wildcat roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Designed by German engineer Anton Schwarzkopf, the Wildcat operated at the amusement park for 32 years.

The Wildcat is a portable steel roller coaster designed by German engineer Anton Schwarzkopf. The origin of this model dates back to the early 60s and over the years Schwarzkopf created three models of varying lengths. Cedar Point's model was the largest with a track length of 1,837-feet and stood 50-feet tall. Nine years ago the park renovated the Wildcat with new paint and upgraded controls.

Cedar Point plans to scrap the roller coaster and recycle it instead of sell it to a new owner.

The shuttering of the Wildcat also means that Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles will now hold the record for the most roller coasters in a single park.

The expansion of Celebration Plaza is part of several initiatives to improve the visitor experience and beautify the park's midways. In addition the park has put a fresh coat of paint on both Millennium Force and Blue Streak, plus made state-of-the-art lighting enhancements on the Power Tower, Millennium Force, and Giant Wheel.