SF New England gets 'Dark Knight' OK

Six Flags New England has won board approval for a height variance that will allow the park to move forward with plans to build its version of "The Dark Knight Coaster." A local Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-0 to grant the variance, contingent on Six Flags meeting all state and local structural and safety codes for the project, for the 70-foot building which will house the $7 million-plus Mack Wild Mouse coaster. Despite taking four months to win approval, Six Flags New England officials say that the coaster should open on schedule. "Of course we were concerned about (the length of time it took), but we know that we have to go through the steps that we have to go through," said Six Flags public relations manager Melissa M. Pinkerton. "We're (still) shooting for a Memorial Day weekend opening."