VIDEO: New Playland attraction is Canada’s fastest solo ride

Amusement park goers lined up in droves in the scorching sun of Thursday, July 21 morning to be the first to experience Playland’s latest attraction: the Skybender.

Playland commissioned the $2.7 million ride from a renowned Italian ride construction and design company known as Zamperla. At 65 km/h, the Skybender is the fastest single seater bike in Canada.

Playland spokeswoman Laura Ballance said the attraction is classed as a “thrill ride” and requires riders to be at least 4 feet tall, but is for all groups of age.

She joked that riders can always tell how serious a ride will be based on whether there is a roof over the operator area. Among staff at the amusement park, Ballance said a roof is an indication that there may be substances falling from the sky.

Like many public attractions, Playland has fallen on hard times in the first two years of the pandemic. Ballance said the new ride signals a new chapter for the amusement park.

“We have sunny skies ahead of us I think,” Ballance said.

The Skybender is Playland’s biggest investment in five years.

Park staff warn me that this has a lot more impact than it looks…. The required height is 48 inches. pic.twitter.com/xcOsDnWkzV

— Jane Skrypnek (@janeskrypnek) July 21, 2022