Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Central Amusement International Wednesday opened “Scream Zone,” a new amusement park in Coney Island featuring four cutting-edge thrill rides that will operate alongside the year-old Luna Park.

The amusement parks, both operated by Central Amusement International (CAI), are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer to Coney Island.

Among Scream Zone’s rides are the first major roller coasters in Coney Island since the world-famous Cyclone opened in 1927 – the Soarin’ Eagle and Steeplechase.

The mayor was joined at Scream Zone for the announcement by Borough President Marty Markowitz, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky, President and CEO of Antonio Zamperla S.p.A Alberto Zamperla and Central Amusement International President Valerio Ferrari. The Zamperla and Central Amusement International (CAI) firms are closely related. Zamperla, headquartered in Italy, manufactures amusement rides, while CAI operates the two parks.

“Last summer was Coney Island’s biggest in nearly a half century, and this year — with the addition of the first new roller coasters since the Cyclone opened in 1927 — it’s going to be even bigger,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “It had been decades since Coney Island saw any significant investment, and the famed amusement district had dwindled as a result. Through the city’s Coney Island Revitalization Plan, we’ve brought back the vibrancy that made the area famous around the world, and with it comes jobs, visitors and economic opportunity.”

“The opening of Scream Zone is another huge step forward in our successful revitalization of Coney Island,” said Councilman Domenic M. Recchia Jr., who represents the area. “This means more thrills and chills for the people who flock from around the world to visit this historic neighborhood, and more importantly, it means more job opportunities for the residents of Coney Island.

“Last summer we posted massive attendance numbers for Coney Island when we opened Luna Park, and I believe that this summer, we’re going to blow those numbers out of the water.”

From the ‘Soarin’ Eagle’ To the ‘Sling Shot’

The new Soarin’ Eagle roller coaster suspends riders in a horizontal position, sending them on a series of dives and inversions. Steeplechase pays tribute to an iconic ride from Coney’s past as it launches riders around a track on horseback. The Sling Shot launches riders more than 150 feet into the air at speeds exceeding 90 miles per hour. And the 100-foot-tall Zenobio sweeps riders through the air at speeds of over 60 miles per hour.

Scream Zone will initially open on weekends through Memorial Day, when it will begin daily operations. Together, the two parks will employ more than 400 people this summer in positions such as customer service, retail, food and beverage service, park service, ride and game operations, party hosts, event staff and grounds maintenance.

“Coney Island is ‘America’s Playground,’ a place where families of every income can enjoy attractions like the Cyclone, Deno’s Wonder Wheel, the iconic Boardwalk and beach, the Brooklyn Aquarium and some great concerts,” said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

“Now Coney Island is better than ever. The new Scream Zone — with its thrilling rides like the Soarin’ Eagle and Zenobio, is really bringing the noise back to Coney Island. Of course, I was honored when Mayor Bloomberg volunteered me to be the first person on the Sling Shot — but that is one scream that you won’t be hearing in this zone.”

Bloomberg’s tongue-in-cheek invitation to Markowitz — which wasn’t in the mayor’s prepared speech — was made during Markowitz’ State of the Borough ceremony this past winter in Sunset Park.