originally posted on 12/13/2019
Photo: Hunter Novotny/Larson International. View full-sized image.
National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives Expansion – The Future Is Taking Shape
As another year comes to a close and the holidays are celebrated in a variety of ways, one often has a lot of reasons to give thanks. The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA) certainly would agree with that statement in 2019, as a long-desired goal finally started to come to fruition. A year ago, December’s Conservation Corner discussed fundraising for the museum building expansion, and a year later, four walls and a roof have sprouted on a field in west Texas, so it seems like a good time to provide an update on the progress.
The proof is not in the pudding (not even a holiday pudding), but in the photos. Building construction began in midsummer with the pouring of a concrete pad. Once erection of the building began in September, things started to progress rather quickly. By late September, the primary structure was completed, and work began on purlins (horizontal beams or bars used for structural support) for the walls and roof.
Photo: Hunter Novotny/Larson International. View full-sized image.
In October, work began on the connector building to join with the original archive space and frame roof areas on the new main building so that commercial heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning units can be mounted. Next up was framing and support for the mezzanine level as well as adding siding to the walls of both new buildings as work continued into the fall.
This view shows the flooring for the mezzanine level being put in place. The mezzanine allows for display space both above and below.
Photo: Hunter Novotny/Larson International. View full-sized image.
Once completed, the expansion’s nearly three-story building will more than double the museum space and display a portion of the museum’s collection, including the largest equipment and signage. The addition is attached to the original 10,000-square-foot archive space in sort of a T-shape design.
Besides ACE’s long-time support, major donors to the museum expansion project include Larson International, Uremet Corporation, Rocky Mountain Construction, Vekoma and Ride Entertainment. ACE has contributed to recent expansion efforts by donating every year since the announcement at the 2016 IAAPA Expo, including $10,000 of its 2019 annual budget to the NRCMA and has pledged another $7,500 in 2020. Despite the financial support, the building would not be possible without all of the volunteer construction work, led by Hunter Novotny, Fred Bechtold and the rest of the Larson International crew. A huge thanks is due to all donors and volunteers!
Photo: Hunter Novotny/Larson International. View full-sized image.
Monetary donations are always welcome whether at rollercoastermuseum.org/donate, an auction or contribution at an ACE event or simply by mailing direct to NRCMA, ATTENTION: Jerry Willard, NRCMA treasurer, PO Box 5424, Arlington, Texas 76005-5424.
— Jerry Willard
ACE Past President
@#$%&!
#ACENews