The ups and downs of a theme park adored by generations | Global News Avenue

They say life may be like a roller coaster, but for Richard Drummond and his family, it was a journey that lasted three generations.

Richard, his father and two sons have worked at Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire for the past 30 years.

But on Tuesday, Wales’ largest theme park Announced to be closing It occurs immediately due to the decrease in the number of visitors.

It makes Richard and thrill seekers around the world want to know what will happen next in the once great attraction.

Richard, 48, from Pembroke Dock, joined Oakwood in 1995, employing about 400 seasonal employees each year.

“I was 18 or 19 and I met a lot of people from all over the world. You met everybody I’ve never met before,” he said.

The park opened in 1987 and was originally owned by William McNamara, a Pembrokeshire farmer who diversifies into the leisure industry.

Richard added: “You’ll see directors walking around the park. Their kids are working there too. The owners are willing to get their hands dirty.”

Richard witnessed the birth of the world-renowned roller coaster Megafobia in 1996.

“I can see the structure slowly entering, and I’m thinking, I know it will make a big impression when it’s done,” he said.

“Many of us who work there are the first ones to keep moving forward.”

Mr McNamara continues Create a nearby Blue Star Resort In 2008, Oakwood was sold to Spanish leisure giant Aspro.

Richard thinks they “underestimated” the task at hand.

“It costs a lot of money to replace parts, especially because most people come from Europe,” he said.

In 2009, Astro decided to cut the number of full-time employees in half, and Richard was released after 14 years in Oakwood.

Richard’s father, who has worked on the field in the past few years, said he believes the park is falling.

“He would tell me that we only have a lot of people today, or that we had to close the trip because they didn’t have enough staff,” Richard said.

Asspro Park, Oakwood theme park owner, said “future investment” is an “unsustainable” attraction.

The company added “all possible pathways” to avoid closures and “unwelcome economic challenges” from the impact of electricity costs, ride parts and food and beverage inflation and changes to national insurance thresholds.

The park’s closure made Richard feel “emotional”, but he plans to hold a staff gathering this summer to share their wonderful time at the attractions.

Justin Garvanovic, founder of the European Roller Coaster Club, remembers the first whisper about a wooden roller coaster coming to Wales.

“I ran into William McNamara in Blackpool and looked at the big dip of the wooden roller coaster there. I immediately put two and two together,” he said.

“We went to see William and his brother Paddy every two weeks and saw the trip being built.”

Justin and his club members loved it so much that they decided to host an annual trip in Oakwood – known as the Giant Welsh Weekend.

European roller coaster club celebrated their 25th Oakwood trip last year as part of their annual annual.

The annual pilgrimage site will find a new place, but Justin admits it is difficult to replace the “special and unique” Oakwood environment.

Justin said he “sadly” saw the closure after seeing the park’s decline in recent years.

“It’s a great park, but if you talk to people in England, they don’t know that there is.”

Justin said the world has lost “the best wooden coaster in the world.”

Pembrokeshire is a “wonderful part of the world” he said, but Oakwood has been asking the same questions for decades.

“How do you let all these people know where this treasure is?”

Korey Kieptfer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is a roller coaster designer and engineer who participated in the renovation of Megafobia three years ago.

The 50-year-old worships the theme park and even celebrates his wedding day by riding on a roller coaster.

“The big thing is very special in the near future,” he said.

“We really feel like we improved it and brought it back to life.”

Korey heard about the park’s closure, which was a “emotional whirlwind.”

“Oakwood is magical. It has a lot of beautiful trees and it’s just opened. All of this adds to the experience.”

Korey said the closure of the park is the result of a “perfect storm” as the cost of the park and its visitors increases.

“If you want to go to Oakwood from a big city, you have to decide to take a four-hour drive or train,” he said.

He added that if a new theme park could have some rides in Oakwood, including Megafobia, he would “love” it.

“If I had a million dollars, I would love to take it away and be like myself,” he said.

Nick Hutson is a British composer known for his work in the theme park industry.

The 40-year-old has served music for fireworks shows, Halloween events and even parties in Oakwood in the past.

“It exudes some of the most beautiful views behind the huge sunlight,” he said.

“It’s a fun to make music for them and I’ll miss their job very much.”

Nick’s role allows him to combine his passion with musicians and musicians.

He recalls a dark event held in the park, which had a “festive atmosphere”.

“I put together a tech party,” he said.

“They have live singers, paint parties and fireworks. It’s my favorite time to go to the park.”

The owners of smaller theme parks in the UK have raised concerns in their struggles.

As businesses face additional pressure Up to state insurance payments and wages This could lead to layoffs.

at the same time Energy prices are still high Used for amusement parks that consume a lot of electricity.

owner One of the oldest theme parks in the UKWicksteed Park in Northamptonshire has previously said it will be difficult to survive without additional funds.

at the same time Cornwall theme park opened 48 years ago.

Now, the focus turns to the impact on the local economy and the people employed by Oakwood.

They hope this is not the first domino to belong to a country that relies on a strong tourism industry.

A Welsh government spokesman said it hopes to work “closely” with the Welsh tourism industry to help meet the challenges facing businesses.

It added: “Tourism has made an important contribution to the Welsh economy and Welsh life.”