SeaWorld San Diego’s Artic Rescue is one of the park’s latest attractions, boasting the title of the West Coast’s fastest and longest straddle coaster, spanning an impressive 2,800 feet of track. Raymond was contracted by Clark Construction to provide fireproofing, framing, drywall, insulation, rough carpentry, and plaster, as well as miscellaneous specialty scope.
The attraction’s theme centered around an Arctic motif, influencing every detail of the project. Raymond craftsmen performed custom interior plaster work to match existing columns in the Artic Rescue Building. Led by Plaster Superintendent Jimmy Charpentier, the team achieved a remarkable wood grain effect using a specially sourced stamp.
A standout feature of the project was an innovative acrylic ceiling, designed using drywall shapes to replicate architect renderings of five-sided beams, originally intended to be made of GFRP. This acrylic ceiling required extensive design coordination and integration with surrounding soffits. Raymond provided Acrylite acrylic panels assembled with acrylic bars. Shop drawings were produced to show soffits with the acrylic panels between them, and multicolored lights behind the panels, resulting in a look that beautifully mimics the aurora borealis, or northern lights.
Raymond also remodeled the attraction’s Shipwreck Café, performing plaster rock work that blended new elements with existing, partially demolished features.
Carpenter Superintendent Casey Buck led efforts to refurbish the children’s play area of the project, tackling the removal of delaminated fiberglass and rotted wood, rebuilding structures with new materials, and finishing surfaces with resin—a task that showcased Raymond’s commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Further enhancing the project’s theme, Raymond sourced reclaimed lumber from the San Diego Navy Pier, mounting the lumber to an existing concrete wall in the play area to evoke a pier setting. This backdrop was complemented by a vibrant beach mural.
The SeaWorld Artic Rescue project was a testament to Raymond’s ability to tackle complex challenges. Overseen by Foreman Kasey Clifton, Raymond craftworkers were able to showcase their creativity and expertise in rockwork, plaster, acrylic panel installations, custom woodwork, aluminum and rope work, and meticulous millwork.
