Särkänniemi Amusement Park | Konect | Vekoma Junior Coaster | 2026

[Onniukko]

Assuming all of the information is correct that doesn't leave a lot of options does it? A Gerstlauer Family Coaster could fit the description but this seems a little fast/tall for that model. On the other hand i couldn't come up with any other known model that would fit all of the listed specifications...

Vekoma launched family coasters like lightning in Furuvik has a 95cm heightlimit so it fits the critetia. The new intamin family lsm coaster has also a 1m height limit but at least the trains now advertised are 4x5

 

[Boodangy]

Not that it necessarily means anything, but at 30m tall this would be by far the tallest Gerstlauer family coaster or Vekoma family LIM. The reason I say it doesn't really mean anything is that obviously manufacturers can just... build taller than they already have, but if we know of a family coaster model that has already been built at that kind of height then I guess I'd consider that more likely. Zierer's ESC model is on average the tallest family coaster type with up to 25-27m heights already which is the closest, and if indeed the trains are the two seats per car type, that'd fit for that as well.

Intamin's new family LSM model has that 1m height requirement which would fit and the renders at least look like they've planned taller models plus Särkänniemi has worked plenty with Intamin, however the train type is a mismatch.

 

[Onniukko]

O

Not that it necessarily means anything, but at 30m tall this would be by far the tallest Gerstlauer family coaster or Vekoma family LIM. The reason I say it doesn't really mean anything is that obviously manufacturers can just... build taller than they already have, but if we know of a family coaster model that has already been built at that kind of height then I guess I'd consider that more likely. Zierer's ESC model is on average the tallest family coaster type with up to 25-27m heights already which is the closest, and if indeed the trains are the two seats per car type, that'd fit for that as well.

Intamin's new family LSM model has that 1m height requirement which would fit and the renders at least look like they've planned taller models plus Särkänniemi has worked plenty with Intamin, however the train type is a mismatch.

Oh Not so good news imo, but that sounds reasonable… They also just opened a Zierer flatride…

 

[Matt N]

I would suggest an Intamin straddle coaster if it wasn’t for the recent news… I reckon the Intamin family launch coaster seems like a feasible suggestion based on the information given.

If it were to be an Intamin family launch coaster, that would be a massive win for a park like Sarkanniemi!

 

[noojas]

A lifthill coaster is more likely to me than one with a launch. The maximum elevation you can get out of a launch speed of 70km/h is about 19m. This could still work out if the launch track is elevated (11m!) and/or if there is a 30m tall spike that the train only partly climbs.

When it comes to specific coaster models it gets a bit difficult. The source explicitly mentions a height requirement of 100cm, not 95cm or 105cm, if we assume this to be correct that would leave the following models (obviously i might have missed one or two):

Gerstlauer Family Coaster
The website lists a max speed of about 60 km/h, the seating configuration would be a match though, so not impossible.

Gerstlauer Airtime Coaster
Seating configuration does not match.

Intamin Family LSM Coaster
Known seating configurations do not match.

S&S Railryder
Two persons per car, but the website lists a max speed of 58km/h.

Gravity Group
Some Gravity Group Woodies have a 1m height requirement like Oscars Wacky Taxi. They also have two person cars.

RMC Family I-Box / Wild Moose
Would be a leftfield option, but could very well be a fit, atleast i don't see any obvious contradictions with the known information

EDIT: Apparently it's going to be Vekoma. [Source] As no current Vekoma models seem to match the description maybe a Thrill Glider?

 

[Onniukko]

I visited the park yesterday and found this construction site emergency plan map:

The plan looks like it will feature a lifthill… (edit: eith further looking it appears that it could also be a lauch with an airtime hill or that is inclined starting from the middle) Also the top of the lifthill and presumably a little more track (since the flat ride next to the restaurant is confirmed to be removed) are not visible on the map.

 

[Hutch]

lol they just have that lying around in public site?

 

[Boodangy]

as well as the Take Off ride will be relocated next to Motogee. Shocking, honestly that in 2025 a classic HUSS ride like that is simply relocated, not removed, but I'm glad, even if it runs a somewhat mild ride program.

Small update to this, Särkänniemi confirmed to a user on Facebook (censoring the name as this is a private group that he posted the response in, just in case), Särkänniemi has since determined after disassembling Take Off that it was in too poor of a condition to relocate to another area in the park, and implied heavily at the end that it'd get replaced by something else eventually. The ride will be recycled down to materials, not sold on the used market.

 

[Boodangy]

We have lift/launch/station/transfer track on site! The red should stand out nicely from the surrounding water and concrete.



(Pic shared with permission from private local group)

 

[NemesisRider]

If we've got track on site, surely this project will be shooting for a mid/late 2026 opening? I believe we saw shovels in the ground for Hype around this time in 2016, which then opened in June the following year. Though, I imagine this may be a more complex build than an SRII.

 

[uwurawrus]

I have unfortunately been to Sarkanniemi twice but if this ends up being something notable it might need to be a third visit. Exciting!

 

[Tulum]

This video shows a nice overlay over maps, for those who are not familiar with the park.

I am not fond of the color because Hype is already red, but anyway. Nice to see the park getting another coaster after having scrapped the Halfpipe and Volare.

 

[Intamin Forever]

Themepark Magic on Instagram: "Het Finse Särkänniemi is momenteel bezig met de opbouw van een nieuwe grote achtbaan, dewelke in 2026 zal openen. De achtbaan wordt deels gebouwd op het terrein waar eerder de (pijnlijke) Zamperla Flying Coaster "Trombi

5 likes, 0 comments - themepark__magic on October 25, 2025: "Het Finse Särkänniemi is momenteel bezig met de opbouw van een nieuwe grote achtbaan, dewelke in 2026 zal openen. De achtbaan wordt deels gebouwd op het terrein waar eerder de (pijnlijke) Zamperla Flying Coaster "Trombi" stond. De...

www.instagram.com

 

[cookie]

Särkänniemi has officially announced the 2026 Vekoma coaster as Konect, which is themed around connectivity and Tampere’s history as a forward-looking city. The park hopes to have the coaster ready by May.

Full translation of the announcement, courtesy of reddit:

istor Summer's 2026 novelty roller coaster invites meter-long wildheads to ride together with an adult!

Konect is a tribute to Tampere, courage and shared moments.

Tampere. A city which has always bravely gone forward. The hooves' lung turned into a steam locomotive beating. Nyssen's whistle to crack the tram. Now there is something new on the horizon: a track that will make walking together more adventurous than ever. The adventure begins of course at the center of the world's joy, Särkänniemi. On the way you see world-class attractions: Näsinneula reaching high and Näsijärvi going in the distance, and of course the whole of Särkänniemi. Everything is crowned by the ride itself: Konect connects the youngest and the oldest, the bravest and the calmest - because the best journey is born when it's traveled together.

The biggest investment of Särkänniemi in a decade, the family roller coaster bearing the name Konect, will be opened by summer 2026. A unique roller coaster is designed in Särkänniemi, so you won't find it anywhere else. Konect is Finland's first large roller coaster, where a 100 cm long amateur can ride it with an adult. People over 120 cm can get on board without adults.

The track that is over half a kilometer long and reaches up to 27 meters high will be above the amusement park area, partly right down the Näsijärvi shoreline. The roller coaster spreads to the Troika, X and Tyrsky areas, significantly changing the silhouette of the amusement park.

Konect will be the longest family roller coaster ever built in Europe by Vekoma. It will also be the highest-rising family roller coaster in its class.

This gorgeous family roller coaster is designed for a very wide audience - a 100 cm tall child can get on board with an adult. The aim is to provide shared experiences and joy among a larger group and a suitable wild time for young children as well as teenagers, adults and grandparents.

The roller coaster is scheduled to open in May 2026. You can follow the progress of the building throughout the spring on the social media channels of Särkänniemi.

Särkänniemi

🎢 Kesän 2026 uutuusvuoristorata kutsuu jo metrin mittaiset hurjapäät kyytiin yhdessä aikuisen kanssa! 🎢 Konect on kunnianosoitus Tampereelle, rohkeudelle ja yhteisille hetkille. 🎈🎉 Tampere....

www.facebook.com

 

[Boodangy]

^ Here to correct the horrid Facebook auto translate on the most egregious bits:

- "The hooves' lung" the original text is "Kavioiden kopse" which means the clacking/knocking sound of hooves

- "Steam locomotive beating" the original text is "Höyryveturin puksutukseksi" which just means the sound of a steam locomotive

- "Nyssen's whistle" the original text is "Nyssen hurina" which means the hum of a Nysse (which is the local bus)

- "To crack the tram" this is probably the most confusing, the original text is "ratikan kilkatukseksi" which means to the ringing (as in a bell) of the tram. To crack the tram???

- "A track that will make walking together" and here it's turned "kulkeminen" into walking, which like, yeah, it can be but kulkeminen means going/travelling in general be it by car, coaster train or foot.



Anyway. I'm excited! I'm assuming this'll be the 2nd most enjoyable/fun experience in the park once open, and it'll definitely get me back to the park after not going for a while due to not having a stellar experience last time or finding their lineup very impressive. Although the theme of vague intergenerational connection is kinda weird, I'm glad they're at least seeming to theme the ride somewhat (looking at the station building art) which is an improvement to their discount Walibi Holland approach with shipping containers, bright paint on concrete and the like they've been doing in the past.

 

[WarmishSign]

Looks like another solid family coaster from Vekoma. Seems very similar to Yeti Trek, which I've heard is really good. Someone should change the thread title, and mockup anyone?

 

[JoshC.]

Snowy construction update from the park...

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[Niles]

This "junior" coaster is looking wicked.




Source

 

[Boodangy]

Särkänniemi gave the Finnish park youtuber Faavu access to the construction site for some unique angles of the progress, including inside the station building. The video is obviously in Finnish, but you can still look at the footage.

 

[YoshiPoseidon]

Särkänniemi gave the Finnish park youtuber Faavu access to the construction site for some unique angles of the progress, including inside the station building. The video is obviously in Finnish, but you can still look at the footage.

Vekoma track always looks so cool and interesting off ride but then you ride it and it just doesn’t do a lot