Ardent Leisure is looking to invest in its theme park business. A strategy to “become the premier family leisure and entertainment destination in Australia” was unveiled at the Group’s AGM this week.
The focus is on rides and attractions (land and water), wildlife and indigenous culture and history.
Investment in new rides and attractions include Sky Voyager. The $15 million “Flying Theatre” iRide simulator at Dreamworld will be the first of its kind in Australia. In the 60-seat simulated flight experience, riders will be suspended over a screen while they fly across the Australian landscape. The media based attraction will be supplied by Brogent.
In addition there are plans for a $15 million extension to WhiteWater World; a new Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation which supports koala conservation research, and an expansion to the Dreamworld Corroboree attraction showcasing the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
A masterplan is also being developed to “maximise the value of surplus land” around the park.
Ardent has been hit hard following the tragic deaths on the Thunder River Rapids ride at Dreamworld in October 2016.
At the meeting Chairman Dr Gary Weiss told shareholders, ”There is no greater priority for Ardent than striving to achieve global best practice safety standards. We are continuing to focus on safety improvements and enhancements across all aspects of the park and reconfirm our commitment to implementing all coronial inquest recommendations in consultation with Workplace Health & Safety Queensland and the theme park industry.”
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