OREGONIA — Organizer’s of Camp Kern’s new zipline attraction in Oregonia say the project has experienced a slight delay in construction.
The delay will make it bigger and better than before,” said Jeff Merhige, executive director for YMCA Camp Kern. “We’re creating more opportunities and choices on the line. We’ve managed to top ourselves before we’ve even opened.”
Merhige said the Ozone Zipline is now scheduled for an opening in late June. Merhige said construction delays were mainly caused by a desire by camp officials to make the ride even more compelling for potential riders. To that end, Merhige said several items have been added to the initial design, including seven sky bridges and a central zip tower.
Billed as the largest zipline attraction in the Midwest, the Ozone Zipline Adventure Ride will carry riders on 10,000 feet of zip line 175 feet in the air. The two-and-a-half hour ride will take riders above Camp Kern while providing a history of the area. The ride was originally slated to cross the Little Miami River into Fort Ancient State Park. Merhige said the crossing of the river has been temporarily delayed, but he expects that passageway to be open in the fall.
“The ride will now have two different ways to reach the ending in the valley,” Merhige said.
Mehrige said the delay crossing into Fort Ancient was caused by slow downs of various state government departments that needed to be involved in constructing the zipline.
Tickets for the zipline will cost $75 per person. Merhige said Camp Kern has already hired more than 10 people to operate the lines and they will begin their two-week training shortly. Merhige said riders will have to schedule trips ahead of time. They expect to handle about 100 riders during the week and 150 on weekends.
