No time for slip ups on Britain’s first ever elevated ice luge
To build the UK’s only permanently iced elevated toboggan run, cutting edge GRP design techniques were tested to their limits by Design & Display Structures.
The company broke the mould of innovative design to complete the ambitious project, taking its collection of unique installations to a whole new level.
Completed in time for the grand opening in November 2007, the fast paced toboggan ride was an instant success with thrill seekers of all ages. The Luge is now a key attraction at Chill Factor e in Manchester - the UK’s longest and world’s widest indoor ski slope.
Design & Display Structures was initially challenged by architects FaulknerBrowns to produce an elevated toboggan run for the new winter sports centre.
Appointed at a late stage by main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, all the company’s plans for the ride had to twist around existing building work including immovable primary steel support pillars.
After researching the dynamics of various sledges on ice paths carved into rock at Ski Dubai, the physics needed for an exhilarating but operationally safe ride were incorporated into the design.
Steel supports and sturdy, yet lightweight, modular GRP sections were then manufactured to create the dramatic twists, turns and drops needed to give riders a truly white knuckle experience.
Design & Display Structures bespoke, flexible system also meant The Luge could be adapted to fit around completed building work and a travellator - needed to transport visitors to the start of the toboggan run.
To these ride sections were fitted modified freezer pipes to ensure the run would remain frozen and ready for action at all times. Countless man hours were spent packing ice particles tightly between the pipes.
“With the ice surface polished to a smooth finish, the dynamic results were remarkably similar to our experimental predictions,” explained Managing Director Allan Curtis. “Clearly all our construction experience, investment in modelling and ice surface testing paid off.”
Installation of the toboggan run, now named The Luge, took place in the summer. A quick turnaround on site gave the owners of Chill Factor e plenty of time to produce the 10,000 square metres of snow (totaling 2,000 tonnes) needed for the opening and winter months ahead.
Allan added: “The whole project required huge leaps of faith but everyone was thrilled with the finished result. For us, The Luge was a risk that was well worth taking. I’m delighted all the visitors to Chill Factor e are clamouring for one more go on our ride.”
As with every client, Design & Display Structures offered FaulknerBrowns and Sir Robert McAlpine a one stop, ultra efficient design and build GRP solution.
More than a year on from the installation, Peter Hinde, Chill Factor e Business Development Manager confirmed the “Luge track is going great…the shouts and howls of laughter tell the story”.
...ENDS…
For further information please contact Allan Curtis on 07718 320184
