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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Riding A Roller Coaster Silverwood Attendance Slips Below 1996 Pace

This season has been wetter. And there are no new rides making a big splash.

Nevertheless, Silverwood Theme Park still hopes to match or exceed last year’s record attendance.

“Last year was a dream year for all of us,” said David Palmer, marketing director for the theme park north of Coeur d’Alene.

Last year the company had more than 300,000 visitors, a 33 percent increase from the 1995 season.

With the addition of The Timber Terror, a 55 mph wooden roller coaster and very few rain days, patronage of the 100-acre theme park hit record numbers. To date this year, there’s a 5 to 10 percent decrease from last year’s attendance, Palmer said.

Much like last year, most visitors come from Eastern Washington and North Idaho, and the park relies heavily on group attendance, he said.

There were no rain days last May and June, but this year’s wet spring, which lasted into early summer, hurt attendance. But that’s not put a damper on the company’s spirits.

“On most days when it’s not raining, we’re equaling or bettering last year,” Palmer said. “It remains to be seen where we’ll be at the end of the year. It depends on the weather.”

Meanwhile, Silverwood is still studying the costs of adding another attraction for next year. Palmer said he anticipates a decision will be made in the next 60 days.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo