FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- The West End Ferris wheel is a staple of downtown Fort Smith, it is also the oldest running Ferris wheel, but is it still safe to ride?
Nearly 80 years ago, the Ferris wheel started spinning at the World’s Fair in San Diego. Phil White bought the attraction without knowing what he would do with it.
“Took it a part piece by piece and frame up restored it, so the Ferris wheel has been totally restored, and seven or eight years ago when I put it back together, it was just like a brand new Ferris wheel even though it is old,” White said.
The Ferris wheel was built in the 1930s, but White said he has taken such good care of it over the years that people will be able to enjoy it for years to come.
“My kids will get on it,” White said. “My grandkids will get on it right now. I would not want it to operate, I would not allow it operate if I thought anybody would be in an unsafe or compromised situation.”
A lot goes into making sure every ride is as safe as the next.
“We do all the required maintenance,” White said. “We do visual inspections. The Ferris wheel is inspected every spring by the state of Arkansas.”
As far as the Ferris wheel breaking down a few weeks ago, White said there is nothing to worry about.
“Things happen,” White said “You do not know when it is going to break. It was nothing serious. It was a standard maintenance item, and if the operator had had more experience, he could have got the Ferris wheel to unload without the fire department. It was not a critical situation at all.”
White said the operator did what he was trained to do, but he wanted everyone to know that it is safe and he will make sure it stays that way.
The Ferris wheel is open on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for $1 a ride.