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Liseberg has announced the formal decision to rebuild its indoor water park Oceana after much of the attraction was destroyed following a fire earlier this year
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 19 Jul 2024
An image taken inside the Oceana pool hall just days before the devastating fire that almost entirely destroyed the attraction Credit: Liseberg
Swedish theme park operator Liseberg has announced the formal decision to rebuild its indoor waterpark Oceana, which was largely destroyed in a fire earlier this year just ahead of the attraction’s planned opening.
The fire, which broke out on February 12, saw 22 people seek medical care for injuries with 16 seeking hospitalisation. One person, construction manager Patrik Gillholm, was killed in the blaze.
Before its destruction, the waterpark featured 14 attractions, including Europe’s first six-person raft ride and a Master Blaster with the world’s biggest mega drop. Parts of the building, including changing rooms, cafes, staff rooms and operating areas were saved from the blaze.
According to Liseberg, an investigation following the fire found that it would be more economical and sustainable to complete the waterpark than to demolish and restart with an alternative project.
"We believe we now have sufficient data to be able to make a formal decision on the rebuild,” said Andreas Andersen, CEO and president of Liseberg.
“Based on the various scenarios we have developed, there’s really no alternative to completing the project. This applies both to Liseberg and Gothenburg as a tourism destination.”
A press release from Liseberg said that Oceana would be rebuilt according to the same main principles as the original project, though some changes will be made.
The release added that until the cause of the fire has been definitively determined and clarity has been reached on the conditions for compensation, the project will be bridge-financed by Liseberg. Several investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing, with the results expected to be presented in the spring of 2025.
Liseberg has signed a partnering agreement with construction contractor NCC for the reconstruction of Oceana, with work divided into two phases.
“NCC and Liseberg have maintained a close dialogue since the fire and this is an important step in moving closer to completing the project that we initiated together,” said Niklas Sparw, head of NCC Building Sweden. “There will now follow a number of months when we will jointly plan and design the reconstruction of Oceana”.
Since March 2024, NCC has been conducting demolition and remediation work to minimise damage to the areas of Oceana that remain intact. This work will continue during the summer. The tentative completion and opening of the rebuilt waterpark is set for 2026.
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