Zippin Pippin roller coaster groundbreaking

GREEN BAY - An official groundbreaking for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster was held Wednesday morning at Bay Beach Amusement Park.

Green Bay Mayor Schmitt was on hand for the ceremony and is excited for construction to begin.

“The Zippin Pippin will be a great addition to the Bay Beach Amusement Park and will create memories for families for many generations,” said Schmitt.

The Zippin Pippin was at one time Elvis Presley's favorite when it was in Memphis, Tennessee.

Earlier this year, the city of Green Bay purchased the naming rights and the design of the ride. The deal included the historic cars that Presley rode in.

The project has a $3-million price tag, most of which is going towards buying new materials for the roller coaster and construction.

The city estimates that at a dollar per ride, the Zippin Pippin will bring in about $45,000 in its first year of operation. Within ten years the city hopes to have the coaster paid off. By 2021, projections show that coaster could bring as much as $500,000 annually.

The Zippin Pippin is expected to be up and running by May 2011.