Aurora, OH -

Big Dipper, the coaster which was dangerously close to demolition a few weeks ago, has been saved thanks to a collaboration of two coaster enthusiasts.

The enthusiasts, Kat Jones of Ohio and Harold Garmonsway of New Zealand, delivered the payment to current owner Tom Woosman on Thursday. No purchase price has been disclosed. The new owners hope to reopen the coaster at another park. "We will have to move the Big Dipper," they said, "but we are confident that, with your help, we can reopen it to the public. The Dipper will fly again."

The former owner had purchased Big Dipper in June 2008 during Cedar Fair's on-site auction of remaining rides at the park. He had placed the coaster for sale on eBay after several prior offers. The deadline for a sale of the coaster had been for September 15th, and the owner was not able to meet the date. He had planned to demolish the coaster.

The former owner had written in a brief email, "I am the owner of the Big Dipper roller coaster in Aurora, Ohio. I have determined that the deadline for the sale of The Big Dipper cannot be met. I have decided to demolish the Dipper and end the existence of this wonderful roller coaster. This is a painful but necessary decision."

The new owners have not decided a location, yet discussions are underway. In the mean time, they plan to to store the coaster in Northeast Ohio. Big Dipper had opened in 1925, and held the distinction of the 12th oldest coaster in the world up until its September 21st closing with the park in 2007.