Ex-Funworld boss questions viability of new fun park

FORMER Durban Funworld owner Nic Steyn has weighed in on the proposed Durban Amusement Theme Park, offering a reminder that thrills don't come cheap, especially when the machinery isn't properly maintained.

- ZAINUL DAWOOD

Reacting to Wednesday's announcement of the park, planned for the old Funworld site and set to open in 2027, Steyn suggested that excitement alone won't keep the rides running.

Acknowledging that his comments may not earn him any free tickets with the developers, he nonetheless urged them to rethink the project, warning that long-term success depends as much on maintenance budgets as it does on big ideas.

Among the Durban Amusement Park's attractions will be:

■Lighting Roller Coaster: a neon-lit 500m track reaching speeds of up to 86km/h.

Disco 24 and Vertical Swing: high-adrenaline signature rides.

1500m² Virtual Reality Theme Park featuring more than 160 interactive games and global e-sports activations.

Durban Funworld closed on May 1, 2023. It had about 15 adult and children's rides as well as statues and arcade games. The lease had expired in 2017, and Steyn had been on a month-to-month basis.

eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said the request for proposal (RFP) was issued in December 2023 and closed in March 2024.