Much anticipated zip-line opening delayed by testing
With glowing hearts, we saw the zip line launch tower rise.
But those who visited Queen Elizabeth Park on Wednesday hoping to mark Canada Day with a zip line flight were disappointed, as continued tests delayed the public opening of the highly anticipated attraction.
“As with everything, there’s been some delays, but it wasn’t because of any safety tests gone wrong — it was just getting our permits in order,” said spokeswoman Randi Thomas of Flightlinez Vancouver, the contractor charged with setting up and running the zip line for the next three months. The temporary summer fixture stretches across a section of the 52-hectare park, aiming to give riders a view of the park’s many gardens, the North Shore mountains, and the downtown Vancouver cityscape. It also serves to mark the 75th anniversary of the park.
Flightlinez exists under Greenheart International, a Vancouver company specializing in ziplines, canopy walks, and aerial trails. The company has been established for more than two decades and boasts installations around the world, including a canopy walk at UBC’s Botanical Garden, and a zip line operation in Whistler.
Flightlinez had hoped to open to the public on Canada Day, but delayed testing and inspections meant Wednesday saw only a soft opening.
“Some of the last-minute things we didn’t anticipate (include) this heat,” Thomas said. “This has been one of the hottest days of the season and that really makes the cables slack more, so we have to tighten them constantly.”
Thomas also noted that some lastminute adjustments required by B.C. Safety meant weight testing continued into Wednesday.
Tickets for the ride will cost from $12 to $20, and the attraction will operate under a revenue-splitting agreement, with the Vancouver Park Board possibly receiving up to 40 per cent of revenue.
A public grand opening is tentatively slated for Saturday.