The Steel Dragon, a Waldameer Park & Water World roller coaster, turns 21 in July. Before park officials can celebrate the compact steel spinning roller coaster's milestone birthday, they'll have to await control panel updates.

Steve Gorman, president of Waldameer and Water World, said the updates are taking longer than expected, which is why the ride has been idle to start the 2025 season.

"Unfortunately, we thought we'd be on time for completion for early May, but we were really surprised that it was delayed," Gorman said.

Gorman said that officials at Waldameer are just as surprised as the general public that updates are taking longer than expected.

"We agreed to do that in September and now it's been seven or eight months...," Gorman said. "They're just really far behind with electrical parts in the country with supply chain issues. Control panels are delayed a lot around the country."

Tim Little, ride mechanic at Waldameer Park & Water World, removes the handlebars from a car of the Steel Dragon roller coaster ride on Wednesday. Crews at the park are busy performing maintenance to get the rides ready for next season. [JACK HANRAHAN/ERIE TIMES-NEWS]

What is being fixed on the Steel Dragon

Gorman says the entire control panel, including electrical components and the cabinet that houses the software for the Steel Dragon are being repaired.

"We decided that the control system for it was getting old and we wanted to update it," Gorman said. "Instead of using the German company for the controls, which we had issues with getting parts, we went with an American company to updates all of the controls on the Steel Dragon."

When is the Steel Dragon going to reopen?

Waldameer officials are hopeful that the steel roller coaster will be back up and operating soon.

"We're supposed to have an update by Thursday (June 5)," Gorman said. "So we expect to have the ride open in about two weeks or so. Definitely by July 4; they said we should be good."

The Steel Dragon debuted at the park 21 years ago on July 4.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Waldameer's Steel Dragon roller coaster is not running. When will it open this summer?