Cedar Point Announces the Removal of Wildcat

Cedar Point has announced that in 2012 its roller coaster count will be reduced to 16 with the removal of the Wildcat.  The ride is located right along the midway that is currently being transformed into Celebration Plaza, home of Luminosity's main stage.  The new nighttime production will utilize the space currently housing Wildcat.

In a release from Cedar Point the park notes that "WildCat was coming to the end of its useful life. With the desired expansion of Celebration Plaza, coupled with the low ridership and increased maintenance costs, Cedar Point has decided to accelerate the removal of the ride. WildCat will be removed from the park prior to Opening Day and the materials will be sent to a recycling facility."

While many fans will be disappointed, the coaster has had several incidents in past years and first opened at the park in 1979.  It was a part of the Schwarzkopf line of coasters by the same name, a quick search of the roller coaster database shows that now only four of this style of ride will be operating.

As for the future, Cedar Point included in the release that they "remain committed to being the roller coaster capital of the world.  New roller coasters, rides and attractions will always be a part of Cedar Point’s future."