SACO, Maine—The new domed home for Funtown Splashtown’s Astrosphere is ready to roll for the summer season.
Saco, Maine’s Press Herald reported May 18 that Funtown Splashtown guests were getting their first look at the reinforced-concrete dome, an upgrade to the Astrosphere with its existing fabric dome housing a Scrambler ride with a laser and light show. Funtown Splashtown USA is Maine’s largest amusement and water park. The park has 50 rides, water slides and pools covering the 72-acre property with some of the biggest attractions in northern New England.
Previously the fabric Astrosphere was inflated constantly by fan during the park’s open season, and the airform was approaching its 15-year lifespan. Park owners employed air domes for the ride since the mid-1970s, requiring that the airform and ride be taken down for the off season, then reassembled come spring. Ready for something permanent with little maintenance, company leadership contracted with Dome Technology to build the dome.
“What I’m looking forward to is a building that’s going to be hard as a rock. It’s going to save me work, it’s going to be turnkey—in the spring I’ll turn on the light, do a little dusting, and we’ll be ready to go,” said Funtown Splashtown USA senior vice president Billy Cormier.
Conditioning the Astrosphere has also been difficult historically, with highs in the summer that exceed those outside—”not good for equipment and not good for workers,” Cormier said. The concrete shell will moderate temperatures, and the building is air conditioned. It will also provide a backdrop for new laser shows and other special effects.
The concrete dome stands 75 feet in diameter and 30 feet tall with a utility garage and emergency exit. For the full Press Herald article, click here.