THE TRACK FAMILY FUN PARKS PRESENTS HEAVY METAL HIGH RISE, A STATE OF THE ART STEEL AND CONCRETE GO-KART TRACK REACHING OVER FOUR STORIES:
OTHER PROJECTS ROUND OUT MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR UPGRADES IN TWO-YEAR PLAN
Branson Attraction Goes Sky High to Celebrate 30 Years
Branson, Missouri – – After 30 years of providing family entertainment to local residents and area visitors, The Track Family Fun Parks is celebrating with a reinvestment of almost three million dollars in its facilities over the next two years. Construction is well underway in a two-facility capital upgrade, some of which will be completed in the spring of 2011. Track 4 (3345 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will feature Heavy Metal High Rise, while Track 3 (2505 W. 76 Country Blvd.) will introduce a new classic go-kart track, an expanded building and other exciting family-themed elements. Guests will still be able to experience all the fun with no gate admission charge.
“We could not be more thrilled to be reinvesting in our parks,” said Larry Schmitt, President/Co-Owner of The Track Family Fun Parks. “We have not built a new major attraction at our facilities since 2002. Not only will these capital projects have a positive impact on our business, but we also feel like this reinvestment on 76 Country Boulevard will be a benefit for the entire community. This is an exciting time to offer something new in Branson,” Schmitt added.
Heavy Metal High Rise at Track 4 will be the latest addition to The Track’s high-rise family. The LumberJack at Track 5 and Wild Woody at Track 3 were built in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The new track’s state of the art steel and concrete construction will be more weather-friendly and will offer a completely different experience than its wooden counterparts. Heavy Metal High Rise will be 1,200 linear feet long, and it will contain over 200 tons of steel and 700 cubic yards of concrete. After spiraling up four stories, riders will zoom down a three-tiered slope back to the ground.
DeWitt & Associates, Inc. of Springfield, Missouri is serving as the general contractor on Heavy Metal High Rise. “From a general contractor’s viewpoint, we are typically involved in constructing very conventional buildings, and a project of this nature with its specialized circular design and distinctive steel structure has made it a rewarding and enjoyable project to be a part of. We certainly feel it will become a unique part of the community and provide fun for families for many years to come,” says Randall Ganz, President of DeWitt & Associates. All ages can enjoy this massive track, as there will be 27 twin-engine, single-rider and 12 double-rider go-karts. The height requirements will be 58″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers. Heavy Metal High Rise will be further amped up with a rock ‘n’ roll theme, complete with the chance to take the “stage” for a rocking photo opportunity.
In September 2010, The Track Family Fun Parks held an email contest that allowed customers to help name the new high-rise go-kart track at Track 4. Roger Royal of Bella Vista, AR was the only person of several hundred entries who submitted the name “Heavy Metal High Rise”. After evaluating the list of finalists both internally and through outside focus groups, Roger’s suggestion was selected. The consensus was that “Heavy Metal High Rise” sounds electrifying and highlights the contrast between this track’s unique steel construction and the existing wooden high-rise tracks. Roger and his family typically visit Branson 5-6 times per year, and are frequent guests of The Track. Upon hearing the news of his track name being selected, he exclaimed, “My sons are going to think I am really cool for this!”
The Track 3 facility will also see big changes in 2011. Its new classic track will be unlike any other at The Track facilities. It will be much more of a road course style with tighter and higher banked curves. There will be more turns, as well as more elevation changes throughout the riding experience. The capacity will also be much greater than the current classic track at that location, having a total of 20 single-rider and 10 double-rider go-karts. The height requirements will remain the same as the other classic tracks at 54″ for drivers and 36″ for passengers. In addition to the new track, the main guest services building will expand by 3,000 square feet, giving guests more than 5,500 total square feet of arcade games and indoor activities.
These are just some of the changes to come at Track 3 over the next two years. “As we enter our 30-year anniversary, we are assessing our available land and resources as well as the latest trends in family entertainment as we consider what developments and additions will provide our guests with the most enhanced experiences,” Schmitt comments. “We hope that Branson visitors and residents will be just as thrilled as we are with the results of the final plan.”
Contact Craig Wescott at (417) 334-1612 ext. 13 or visit www.bransontracks.com for more information. On the website, follow the progress of the construction on The Track’s new network of live interactive webcams. You can also view the construction pictures and keep up to date on facebook or on The Track’s website blog. To view a teaser trailer highlighting Heavy Metal High Rise, visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk0ILAy5KZc.
###
About The Track Family Fun Parks:
The Track Family Fun Parks started entertaining local and visiting families in 1981. The four Branson, Missouri locations offer high-rise and classic go-kart tracks for all ages, bumper boats/cars, laser tag, mini golf, kids’ rides, arcades, and more with no gate admission charge.
