[AN] Réouverture de Ratanga Junction cet été

Ratanga Junction ready to roll for Summer

By Fouzia van der Fort

Ratanga Junction will come alive again for summer. Having been on a rollercoaster ride of its own - with discussions on whether it should close altogether - the theme park is back with a new look.

The revamped Ratanga Junction will include a sports lounge with big-screen televisions and a fresh coat of paint.

Century City Property Developments, the owner of Ratanga Junction since June, has plans to take the park to new heights, with ticket prices dropping slightly.

This summer a R95 ticket - down from R100 - will give access to all rides except the Slingshot, and the park is introducing a new R210 family package for two adults and two children under 1,3m tall.

The mini-adventure ticket for children under 1.3m is now R45 instead of R50. Non-riders will still get in free.

Managing director Greg Deans said: "We are formulating plans to improve on the theme park's financial performance and to maximise all its assets."

Park general manager Bill Taylor has been mandated to turn it into the number one family leisure destination in the country and to increase year-round profitability.

"It is a phenomenally exciting product and we are closely examining every part of the business to see how we can improve it, not only in terms of revenues but as to how we can raise the guest experience to encourage visitors to come back again and again," said Taylor.

The park will be opened with a Ratangafest "beer and fear festival" on October 27, after which it will be open from Friday to Sunday until November 26.

Thereafter it will be open daily - except for Christmas Day - until the end of the school holidays