Pittsburgh/ Fun & Entertainment
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Published on October 04, 2024
Kennywood's Steel Curtain Roller Coaster Reopening Delayed to 2025 Amid Modification ProjectSource: Roller Coaster Philosophy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Thrill seekers eyeing a ride on Kennywood's Steel Curtain must practice their patience a little longer. In updates reported by CBS News, the venerable amusement park has announced that its signature roller coaster's much-anticipated return will be delayed until the 2025 season as they forge ahead with an "extensive modification project."

While their team has been diligently working throughout the year, the park's general manager, Ricky Spicuzza, has outlined the current focus on structural improvements. "When you visit the park this weekend, you will notice we have begun the next phase of work on this project, which includes adding additional columns to the structure," Spicuzza said, per WPXI. Notwithstanding, these developments aim to solidify the ride's reliability and ensure its longevity for future adrenaline junkies.

The Steel Curtain has been closed since April, giving rise to a game of expectation against reality for parkgoers. It wasn't until after the season passes had been sold that the park revealed the roller coaster wouldn't be operating this season, leading to a class action lawsuit by irked season pass holders. According to CBS News Pittsburgh, their lawyer, John A. Biedrzycki, lays the allegation bare: "They knew the Steel Curtain wasn't going to be open this season," and adds, "But they didn't put that information out until after thousands of people bought season passes." Kennywood and its parent company, Festival Fun Parks, have chosen to remain mum regarding the litigation.

Despite the ride's on-and-off closures over the past year, including an abrupt shutdown mere weeks after reopening in 2023, park officials are eager to ease fan concerns with promises of resurgence. "We are excited to continue progress on the coaster over the next several months and we can't wait to welcome riders back to the Steel Curtain in 2025," Spicuzza's optimism, as detailed by WPXI report, appears against the backdrop of ongoing legal tensions. For the many faithful fans, the park hopes that the wait will have been worth it when the day finally comes.