Towers Loving Care

[Dar]

I think it would look neat if they managed to wind some of the wood up and around the track, so Rita at least almost fits in with the forest-reclaiming-things theme

 

[Leah]

I don't like the fence, but anything is better than the scaffolding, and a fence is far more than I expected. At least it looks like it's been purposely put their, rather than prompted by h&s.

 

[Danny]

Towers have confirmed the front elevation of Nemesis' station will be done this year, whilst the rest will be finished for the 2017 season.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Half arsed as usual then?

 

[Croftybaby]

I've not seen this scaffolding properly and it's probably been said before but wouldn't it have been better to knock down the Arcade and build it under the Rita launch making a through path to the other side of Rita's launch shed and having an arcade with two entrances where guests could go through to the two coasters as a short cut (whilst probably spending money in the arcade?

 

[Scott]

Half arsed as usual then?

Not entirely... This TLC 'programme' was always stated to be an ongoing three year plan.

 

[KingNemesis]

I'm surprised how much they are doing to be honest, I expected a few new signs and that was it

 

[Rob]

I've not seen this scaffolding properly and it's probably been said before but wouldn't it have been better to knock down the Arcade and build it under the Rita launch making a through path to the other side of Rita's launch shed and having an arcade with two entrances where guests could go through to the two coasters as a short cut (whilst probably spending money in the arcade?

No! Walking through a loud, typically unthemed arcade would be far worse.

In terms of the Nemesis station refurbishment being split over two year, I have no problem with that. It will look a bit weird this season but if it's the only way to get it done with the no doubt limited budget they have then it's worth it.

 

[Vicky]

I'm pleasantly surprised to see that Towers are finally doing something about that tunnel. It could look decent with some lighting and vines in, but anything beats the scaffolding and posters!

On the other hand at any other theme park things that are being done under the TLC campaign should just be general maintenance, not "fall into disrepair then make a marketing campaign of fixing these problems." It seems a bit odd to run a campaign about the loving changes you're making to the resort, while at the same time closing a large number of attractions and F&B outlets?

 

[TomLad]

I quite obviously have been referring, as have others, throughout this whole topic about the ENTIRETY of the project and how it will be one big budget blast rather than spaced out. ( I do share your view however, that it will look brilliant being done in one go).

And if you're familiar with maintenance, no it generally doesn't cost as much when you keep on top of things, as they don't need as much repair. Prevention is better than cure. What we have now, is cure, not prevention - but that wasn't really the point I was making anyway.

And I think it's rather easy if you read into others posts, who generally know their stuff, that people HAVE been working and nagging to get stuff like this done, hence the point, it's a time to show appreciation for it.

They were not so subtle hints...

In some cases there isn't any way for preventative maintenance. Realistically, there is no alternative to stripping a ride down to the metal to check for fatigue. Whilst it would be nice to see them keep on top of everything, some of the stuff they\re doing wouldn't be worth doing every closed season, nor could it even be possible.

 

[DiogoJ42]

Here's the problem with only painting half of something, then leaving it a year to finish the job:
Weather.

We may not have the extreme sun of California, but leave anything outside for a year and the elements will take their toll. UV light fades paint, Rain and general grime stains it. There is almost no way they will be able to match the two sides.

 

[James]

As long as they do the rest next year that is (watch money get cut last minute and they can't finish it off).

It seems a bit odd to run a campaign about the loving changes you're making to the resort, while at the same time closing a large number of attractions and F&B outlets?

Well this whole TLC malarky is only for us geeks, it's not being advertised on any of their social media channels aimed at all their followers. We've moaned for years about the park being neglected so this is just a way for certain people at Towers to go 'hey TowersStreet members, we are finally allowed to paint and clean things that have annoyed you for years'. Even though there are all these closures coming up, it's an entirely separate thing and mostly out of their hands. Although I can see how some people (including me) aren't fully enjoying the TLC updates with the foreknowledge of severe cuts happening at the same time.

In some cases there isn't any way for preventative maintenance. Realistically, there is no alternative to stripping a ride down to the metal to check for fatigue. Whilst it would be nice to see them keep on top of everything, some of the stuff they\re doing wouldn't be worth doing every closed season, nor could it even be possible.

That's why there should always been a rolling maintenance program that works through the areas/rides/attractions over the years, and triggers for maintenance on certain rides. A park on the scale of Alton Towers will always have areas that look a bit worn out, but there's no excuse to have the entire park in such a state. I think the main point trying to be made is that there has been a lack of maintenance (other than the basics to pass regulations) and lack of care for the park for so many years it's come to the point where they have to spend a large chunk of money over one closed season to play catch up. The park really shouldn't have got to the state it is in now.

It's great to see this happening, and I really hope this marks the start of annual park maintenance, just like they did in the old days. Maybe then in 5-10 years time if something like this was allowed to continue, the park would be on top form once more.

 

[TheMan]

In some cases there isn't any way for preventative maintenance. Realistically, there is no alternative to stripping a ride down to the metal to check for fatigue. Whilst it would be nice to see them keep on top of everything, some of the stuff they\re doing wouldn't be worth doing every closed season, nor could it even be possible.

I don't disagree with that, in terms of some of it, my only point was it's so expensive because so much is being done in one go - as in the whole TLC project - and a proportion of that would cost more as it's repairing due to lack of maintaining - which anyone knows. This applies to a garden fence at home, it doesn't magically not apply to Towers.

As for a tunnel under Rita, that whole area needs a proper good going over, the scaffolding was hideous and unpleasant - a little wooden tunnel themed or not, I am not going to lose any sleep over.

Yes details are important, without question, but they're a LONG way from being at the point of details yet.

EP do detail. To astonishing levels. This is however still an upgrade. Given what's gone, I'll take that for now!

But hey they may surprise us - tbh, even the tunnel surprised me!

 

[onair]

Towers have confirmed the front elevation of Nemesis' station will be done this year, whilst the rest will be finished for the 2017 season.

Totally disappointed with this announcement. Whilst all the set up is there why not finish the job. If time and budget was an issue perhaps some of the shutter paintings could have been left till next closed season instead.

As usual half a job Alton Towers, some of their decisions are total madness.

 

[bluesonichd]

If they hadn't spread themselves so thin doing everything this year I'm sure they could have got the hole of Nemmy painted this year.

 

[Croftybaby]

No! Walking through a loud, typically unthemed arcade would be far worse.

This is what I meant but with an option to walk through the loud and noisy arcade if you wanted to...

 

[jon81uk]

If they hadn't spread themselves so thin doing everything this year I'm sure they could have got the hole of Nemmy painted this year.

It's possible there are other factors such as the work painting the track got in the way or the specialist scenic painters weren't available. Personally I didn't notice the station looking that bad so doing it over two closed seasons is OK.

The shutter painting is a much more basic job so doesnt require the same skilled painter that all the Nemesis work has.

 

[Jordan]

To the comments along the lines of "this only happened because Varney said so", I urge you to give more thought to how large organisations work.

Believe it or not, even the CEO of a company can't realise every wish they have. There will be a few key priorities that Nick's team drive through - likely much more closely aligned to the company/shareholder objectives - but he simply won't have the time to focus on overseeing the delivery of every project, never mind a programme of improvements that sits in the low-£100ks.

In this case, it's highly likely that a stray comment or two made by Varney about sprucing the park up has been used by a team in Alton management to back-up the business case and budget to carry out these works.

The team at Alton deserve a far greater proportion of the credit for making the programme happen than given to them in some posts here.

 

[Spike]

To the comments along the lines of "this only happened because Varney said so", I urge you to give more thought to how large organisations work.

As my views falls into your quote I shall elaborate further...

I know the team have been pushing for a while to work on the park aesthetically but there always has to be a business case. I remember when the new gondolas were installed on the Skyride and being told on the behind the scenes tour years before that everything must have a business plan drawn up to show how the cost (in the Skyride's case 2million) would benefit the business and increase revenue.

I personally think that in this instance Varney has approved or even orchestrated this TLC campaign because a case was made that the cost would bring visitor numbers back up in the wake of The Smiler incident. If the general public see the park being 're-vamped' it will hopefully bring peace of mind about the safety and that Alton care about their safety, it's a genius marketing strategy. I personally feel that if The Smiler incident had not occured, I don't think we'd be getting this long over due TLC.

My views are in no way to undervalue or under appreciate the team at Alton, but this TLC marketing has Varney written all over it. 'Release the purse strings to gain the trust and confidence back of the general public' You have to spend money to make money and they really have a hill to climb this year.

 

[Harv]

My concern with this development is that 2016 is most likely going to be a dreadful year for Towers in terms of attendance, no matter what they do to try and draw in visitors/improve the experience. I just worry that whoever it is that has decided to open up the purse strings for the TLC projects won't see any return on their investments and thus will be dissuaded from spending on maintenance projects in the future.