Volume 1, No. 6. April 20, 2001
It’s a Family Coaster!
The Indianapolis Zoological Society in Indiana announces the arrival of Kombo, April 19, 2001 (24 feet high, 656 feet long, 21 mph). Delivered by Zierer.
A safari-themed family coaster opened a new era yesterday by becoming the first roller coaster installed in a traditional zoo. It also became Indianapolis’ first roller coaster.
"Really?" said Scott Jones, chairman and chief executive officer of Escient Technologies, inventor or voice mail and primary benefactor of Kombo. "I like to do firsts."
Kombo replaces the zoo’s elephant rides, both in revenue generation ($2 for two-circuit ride) and location. Fittingly, when theming and landscaping is completed later this spring, the coaster will pass over a representation of an elephant graveyard. The train itself looks like an authentic convoy of jeeps, with backpacks bearing the names of Benjamin, Andrew and Daniel, Scott Jones’ sons.
"We wanted to stick with the safari theme, otherwise it is a little jangling," said Jeffrey Bonner, the zoo’s president and CEO.Even the signage is bilingual in English and Swahili.
"Kombo" means " exciting twists and turns" in that native African language, and though a family-scale ride it delivers a good thrill quotient. "Especially the curve at the bottom of the (lift) hill you go really fast," said Andrew Jones.
Indianapolis is a city obviously looking for such thrills. After the vine cutting, which officially opened the coaster, and the first ride by invited dignitaries and their families, Kombo was opened to the public, who lined 200 deep in spring-like weather to be among the first riders.
"I wanted something that would make the zoo an entertainment destination," said Scott Jones, a coaster fan, who also funded The Enchanted Mill, the zoo's wet-dry play area, which opened last year. "You come to see animals and plants, and after walking around all day you can get a little adrenaline rush. And this gives you a little adrenaline rush in that back seat."
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