Crystal Mountain could become a theme park, complete with a tall mountain-like structure, children's rides and animal shows. Sandra and Abrelino Nogueira, owners of the Swanson crystal gallery and museum, are seeking resource consent for the theme park from Waitakere City Council. Under the proposal a mountain, up to 8m high, willbe built at the Candia Rd site. It will house five children's rides or activities, including a bungy trampoline and tea cups ride, while a rapid river ride - where boats float down a water channel - will run through the mountain. Other plans include a children's rollercoaster which can travel almost 10m per second, a bumper car-ride and a horse riding arena. An ``animal antics' building seating up to 400 people is part of the proposal, with plans for three daily shows with animals from the theme park performing for visitors. A kiosk, a camera shop and two new car parks, totalling 179 spaces, will be built. Proposed opening hours are seven days a week from 9am-9pm between October and March, and from 9am-6pm between April and September. The council's hearings committee heard part of the application on Thursday, with more to be considered today. Chairman Derek Battersby says it is unclear whether a decision will be made today or a third hearing date will be needed. It is recommended consent be declined, with the council's resource planner stating in the hearings committee agenda that potential adverse environmental effects are more than minor and could not be mitigated through consent conditions. Of the 216 submissions received on the proposal, 212 are opposed to the theme park citing noise and traffic congestion as reasons. Opened in 2000, Crystal Mountain has a mineral and crystal gallery, museum, cafe, miniature farm, horse arena, children's play area, Crystal Mountain Express Train, car park and an area to pan for crystals. The owners of Crystal Mountain declined to comment at this time.
