Remember those thrilling childhood rides? The Ex-Aerogondolas of Parque de la Ciudad in Buenos Aires were once the longest sky ride in Latin America. They soared high above the park carrying joyful screams and laughter.
The Ex-Aerogondolas were part of a grand vision. Mayor Osvaldo Cacciatore wanted to transform the dilapidated Villa Soldati neighborhood. His plan? A massive amusement park. Interama Parks SA was given the task. They contracted Swiss firm Intamin for the rides. The Aerogondolas were among the many attractions. Their construction cost a staggering US$4.5 million.
The construction itself was an epic undertaking. Millions of cubic meters of earth were moved. Lakes hills and valleys were sculpted from the displaced soil. Even a landfill was used as a foundation. TREVI INC was responsible for the impressive pilings that held these majestic gondolas aloft. Their foundation piles were sunk 35 meters deep. They pierced through layers of soil and even the incredibly hard puelchense rock unique to Buenos Aires.
Parque Interama opened in 1982. Its sixty attractions included the Ex-Aerogondolas the Aconcagua roller coaster and a musical fountain. But despite initial success the park faced financial problems. The 1980 bankruptcy of Banco Sidesa a major stockholder dealt a severe blow. Later the park was renamed Parque de la Ciudad. Its fortunes continued to decline. The park ultimately closed in 2008. The Ex-Aerogondolas fell silent.
Today only remnants of the Ex-Aerogondolas remain. A testament to a time when laughter echoed through Villa Soldati. A reminder of the ambitious dreams of a bygone era. It is a poignant reminder that even the longest sky ride eventually comes to its end.