2019 Archive : 6 Flags Great Adventure

Project Details

Fabric 1

Précontraint 702 Formula S
Producer: Serge Ferrari North America Inc.

Engineer Name 1
Dirk Cos

Engineer Company 1
LDI

Fabrication Name
Lightweight Manufacturing

Fabrication Company
Lightweight Manufacturing

Project Manager Name
Curtis Mita

Project Manager Company
Signature Structures

Installation Name
Dennis Johnson

Installation Company
Signature Structures

Please describe the project specifications

Six Flags Great Adventure constructed four permanent tensile membrane structures designed to resemble circus big top tents as part of a midway themed section of the park. The structures, approximately 75' x 75' square, were constructed when the park was opened in the 1970's and still featured their original membrane covers. Six Flags selected the most needy structure and brought our company in to design, engineer, and fabricate a new cover as well as provide project management and installation supervision/assistance.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

The original membrane covers had held up very well considering their age but had reached the end of the useful life. They had lost their water-tightness and were not considered fully safe for park patrons to occupy. Thus, the client had chosen to shut down one of them completely. With the season coming, they needed to have the membrane cover replaced and the structure otherwise refurbished in order to re-open the attraction for the coming season. In addition to normal client expectations, the project needed to completed in a tight timeline.

What is unique or complex about the project?

The structures themselves were over 40 years old and utilized technology that has long since been modernized. What drawings existed were rudimentary and incomplete- very little could be re-used. In addition, the structures were not clearspan; wooden sub-structures had been built underneath the membrane covers, greatly limiting access during the refurbishment project. The refurbishment had to be completely reverse engineered in both the material design and installation process. A complete survey was required and new design solutions created. The installation of the new cover posed its own challenges- the site was very tight and due to timeline restraints, a significant part of the installation would need to be performed while the park was open.

What were the results of the project?

Our company was able to provide a brand new membrane cover, matching the existing theme perfectly and leaving a 40+ year old structure looking brand new. Our design and engineering team essentially created the solution from scratch, and worked seamlessly with our project management arm. Our experienced technical supervisors worked closely with local union installers to ensure an on-time, on-budget completion that minimized downtime for the attraction and loss of revenue for the client.

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