New $2.7-milllion Skybender ride opens in Playland
Coming off two of the worst seasons in its history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Playland is enticing visitors back with a flashy new ride.
“We’re very, very excited,” said Laura Ballance, Playland spokesperson. “This has been a long time in the making. We are very proud of this ride.”
The $2.7 million Skybender marks Playland’s biggest investment of the past five years. It was made by Italian design and construction company Zamperla, and is described as a thrilling combination of gravity drops and accelerations.
“It’s the speed, it’s the rider style, and it’s the first one of these free-flying circular rides that we’ve seen in Canada,” said Ballance.
Beyond a new ride for Vancouver thrill-seekers, Ballance says the Skybender represents a new chapter for the 94-year-old amusement park.
“I think today really symbolizes that we’re on the other side – that we are making investments back into the company, back into the park,” she said.
In addition to Skybender’s grand opening, The classic wooden Coaster is set to re-open within a few weeks, after undergoing a nearly 18-month refurbishing project.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's inflation rate jumps back to 2%, likely curbing large rate-cut bets
Canada's annual inflation rate accelerated more than expected to 2.0 per cent in October as gas prices fell less than the previous month, data showed on Tuesday, likely diluting chances of another large rate cut in December.
Cargo plane goes off the runway at Vancouver International Airport
A jet carrying Amazon packages went off the runway at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday morning.
Toddler dies from drug toxicity in Niagara Falls, Ont.
A 40-year-old woman is facing charges in the death of a toddler who was found without vital signs in a Niagara Falls, Ont., home last year. Niagara regional police say officers found the two-year-old child after they were called to a home on Nov. 21, 2023.
Watch 'Thought it was part of special effects': Cruise ship tilts as 'Titanic' song plays
Cruise ship passengers got a scare when their vessel tilted sideways, with one man saying the theme song for the film 'Titanic' had played during the ordeal.
Ex-husband of mass rape victim Gisele Pelicot set to speak in court
Gisele Pelicot, subjected to mass rape organized by her husband over 10 years, on Tuesday condemned the cowardice of the dozens of men accused of abusing her who claim they didn't realize it was rape, adding France's patriarchal society must change.
E. coli: Carrots recalled in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has posted a recall for both baby and whole organic carrot brands sold at multiple grocery stores due to E. coli contamination.
BREAKING Incident resolved after reports of man armed with knife at U of M
The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) said an incident involving a man armed with a knife at the University of Manitoba on Tuesday morning has been resolved.
Are you a digital nomad? Share your journey of remote work and travel
CTVNews.ca wants to hear from digital nomads who have taken up location-independent jobs and can work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Paul Teal, actor from 'One Tree Hill,' dead at age 35
Paul Teal, a film and TV actor known best for his role in the CW's teen soap 'One Tree Hill,' has died, according to a statement from his agent Susan Tolar Walters. He was 35.