Calaway Park
Encyclopedia
Calaway Park is Western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park. The park is located in Springbank
, Rocky View County, Alberta
, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the city of Calgary
on the Trans-Canada Highway
.
The park features a variety of rides including a large log flume
, the rides "Chaos" and "Storm", and the park's two biggest attractions: "The Vortex", its corkscrew roller coaster
, and the "Dream Machine", a 56-passenger swing ride. There are many other rides that are unique to the park.
Calaway Park currently has 33 rides, 22 food stalls, 27 games, and covers 90 acre (0.3642174 km²). The park has been in continuous operation since 1982.
lawyer, and 15 other investors from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Around 1979, the group paid $500,000 to Hanna-Barbera Productions for the licensing rights to the characters and locations in The Flintstones
. While the original TV show ended in 1966, various Saturday morning series continued the basic plot lines, including The New Fred and Barney Show
(1979) and The Flintstone Comedy Show
. In addition to the Flintstones theme, a Victorian motif was planned for the park; similar to the Grande World Exposition of 1890 in Canada's Wonderland, which opened in 1981. It was presumed by park founders that parents' entrance fees, along with food and gift purchases, would pay operating costs.
Originally planned as Flintstone Fun Park, the project was to cost $8 million; costs "mushroomed" during an energy and real estate boom. The park cost $25 million, including $3 million for the primary corkscrew roller coaster.
The Alberta Appeal Court (AAC) ordered a second hearing by the council, again sitting as the Development Appeal Board. The hearing took place in June 1980; three of the councillors were disqualified by the AAC for having visited the American parks previously. The developers argued that they felt 90 per cent of area residents wouldn't object once they visited the park and realized they'd be "proud" of it. If approved, the developers suggested that they would welcome a committee "mostly of opponents" to have a say in planning the park. Locals objected to a proposed fake mountain. McAfee denied knowledge of a statement of company objectives, which included the creation of an on-site hotel. Both sides argued whether the park met the definition of a country recreation centre.
The Flintstone Fun Park developers felt 200,000 people would visit in the first year, and somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 annually after a decade or two. By this point, the expectation was that there would be a four-lane overpass above Springbank Road, to lessen the traffic disruption. McAfee said the company did not expect to be profitable in the first few years. Approval was given with conditions.
A cement truck depot was seeking to move into Springbank at the same time, it too was opposed. It was blocked quickly on the grounds that the regional plan limited industry in rural areas.
Nine land owners filed a motion in the Alberta Appeal Court in mid-July, seeking permission to challenge the ruling on the grounds that council acted contrary to both a local by-law and the Calgary regional plan, didn't adequately explain its decision, and overstepped its powers by attaching conditions.
Without the ability to ask the Alberta Planning Board (APB) themselves, the Springbank Action Group (SAG) asked in February 1981 that the Calgary Regional Planning Commission or Rocky View school board refer the matter to the APB, using recent legislation that allowed it to settle the situation. Once either organisation had brought the matter to the APB, the SAG would take over from them and represent the opposition. SAG would probably concede if the APB voted against them, but would be able to appeal the ruling in the courts should the APB rule against the park.
With its major challenges out of the way, Flintstone Fun Park changed its name to Calaway Park, and was under development by January 1982.
Bill Copithorne, the sole dissenting vote in the Municipal District's initial approval, was now the Rocky View reeve. Talking at a January 11, 1982, town hall meeting organized by the new citizen's group Partners in Progress, Copithorne warned that further development would be inevitable along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor. He called for a new general plan to ensure that further additions would be "high-class". A proposed commercial strip would include a motel and RV campground. The director of the Calgary Regional Planning Commission disagreed with Copithorne's statement of "inevitability"; a hearing on the motel and campground were scheduled for January 22. Rocky View's planning director noted that a commercial zone might not happen, and commercial development in Springbank might happen away from the highway as well. Simultaneously, Municipal Affairs Minister Marvin Moore was considering further Municipal District representation for the Springbank and Bearspaw
areas, a request triggered by residents after high population growth.
Area resident Mary Luzi asked the area government to block the creation of a 31-metre-high rollercoaster; this was unsuccessful. McAfee, who lived a "half mile away" from the park site, admitted he would be displeased if he could see a corkscrew roller coaster from his house. The coaster was painted in earth tones, to blend in with the foothills. Said Luzi: "What does that do when there are still purple and red roofs, along with oranges, yellows and blues?" Trees, bushes, and landscaping were to block the sitelines.
and Calgary Stampede
.
Initial entrance fee to the park was a "hefty" $11.95, with unlimited access to attractions. This is standard within the industry; all attractions were available with one ticket at Disneyland as of June 1982. Canadians objected to this simplified plan. The 14 attractions included The Flintstones themed attractions, the Corkscrew roller coaster, a petting zoo, and Cinema 180; entertainment included costumed characters of the Flintstones. American Kent Lamasters was hired as general manager.
By 1983, the park was facing 17 lawsuits totaling $1 million, including from Batra Construction Ltd. ($772,000), Canadian Western Natural Gas, the Municipal District of Rocky View, and the Canadian federal government.
It sought help from the provincial government
's Department of Tourism and Small Business. The government was not interested in the park from an equity standpoint. Alberta Opportunity Co., a Crown corporation set up to finance or assist management of viable small and medium businesses in the province, was not approached, at least in the early stage.
On February 11, 1983, the park landed in receivership, with Touche Ross Ltd. (now known as Deloitte) continuing its operations. All 17 lawsuits were stayed upon receivership.
To attempt to attain profitability, the park cut admission fees, started events, and began a $1.1 million capital expansion. All of the changes were aimed at older age groups; the child-centric Flintstones theme was considered too minor to support the large facility; dropping the licensing fees helped fund the renovations. Along with new shows and rides, a restaurant was to feature more sophisticated foods and a liquor license. The admission cut was based on general manager Lemaster's success at Silver Dollar City
, doing the same while marking things up within the park. Gordon Dixon bought the park, and management reformatted the attraction as an amusement park, rather than a theme park. A third of the landscaping was lost after the first season, as their Ontario landscaper wasnot familiar with the dry Alberta weather conditions.
After the 1984 season ended, receiver Touche Ross ended its stay. A deal with Northland Bank
went into effect during the autumn, after waiting for government approval. Northland bought the park from its original owners, selling the new company (Calalta Amusements Ltd.) back on better terms. It took over loans of $3.5 million from the Royal Bank of Canada
and Bank of America Canada
. They saw promise in attendance numbers, and kept the park open for 1985. (Northland itself was financially shaky, with declared loan losses of $4.5 million in 1983. Northland folded in 1985.)
, Ozark Mountain Daredevils
, and various contemporary tribute acts. By the end of their fourth season, Calaway Park turned a profit, despite 35 bad weather days, 10 above the expected average. The company continued to make loan payments to Northland as part of its five-year loan.
When the park opened in 1982, many of the buildings, merchandise, and rides were styled around licensed Hanna-Barbera
characters. These can be still seen today in some of the older and colourful Flintstones-style buildings. The licensing was dropped in favour of reinvesting the funds into tangible capital projects to improve the grounds. The park has generally avoided licensing since, aside from its Theodore Tugboat
soft playground. The park has paid outside licensees, including for 2009 appearances by Dora
, Diego, and SpongeBob SquarePants
.
Early in their career, in the 1980s, Blue Rodeo
did a performance at Calaway Park; their five performance booking was poorly received by the mothers and children at the park.
In 1988 Calaway Park introduced two mascots, Jack Bunny and Jill O' Hare, who can now be seen roaming the streets of the Park; The Jack and Jill Club 10th Birthday Bash! musical was presented in 2005. The club is open to season pass holders aged 3 to 12.
The park's director of marketing, Bob Williams, became known throughout the Calgary tourist attraction scene as "The Coupon King". As of 2003, the park would flood the market with 3 million coupons a year, including direct mail discounts to 800,000 households; of those mailed coupons, 70,000 are redeemed. They estimate over 75% of admissions are discounted.
"Twiz & Twirl: The World’s First Interactive Dual-Zone Maze" and thrill ride Chaos were added in 2005, with chair swing Swing Around taken out for next year's The Storm. The park's 25th anniversary, the next year, added The Storm: Mother Nature's Thrill Ride, children's swing ride Swirly Twirl, and U-Drive: Safety School Of Motoring, a renovated Turnpike. The park entrance was renovated. Drop tower Free Fallin' replaced Topsy Turvy, swing ride The Dream Machine, ferris wheel Balloon Ascension, and Flying Ace were added in 2007. Family ride Tip Top was retired at the end of the season. Samba Spin was added in 2008.
Mind Blaster debuted for the 30th anniversary of the park in 2011. As of late July, the park attendance was down 3%, due to a "cool wet spring." July has been "good for business", with August traditionally their busiest month.
Their troupe of live performers performs shows written and produced by Chris Thompson, the park's entertainment director. They produce four to six shows annually, targeted at families with children 2 to 14.
Almost half a million visited in 2003, double the 210,000 in 1991, also doubling the in-park revenue. The 500,000 number continued as of the 2010 season. up from 575 in 2004. As of 2003, they had 65,000 season pass holders. The park had record breaking attendance in July and August. Fifty percent of ticket sales are in the Christmas period, when Calaway does extensive marketing of its tickets as "stocking stuffers". While the park is deemed an "important" tourist draw in the Rocky View County, nearby CrossIron Mills
with its planned racetrack and casino is expected to supplant the park as the biggest draw.
Calaway Park's attractions are geared to a wide range of ages, with variety ranging from soft playgrounds to thrill rides. The park is considered amongst North America's safest amusement parks according to 2005 statistics. Calaway Park offers several mandatory training sessions, safety briefings and ride-employee certifications that take place prior or during the employee's first shift. Calaway Park ride employees are trained to enforce height restrictions very carefully, being accurate to the inch specified by the ride manufacturers.
In 2008, the ride SuperJet allegedly starting before all children had boarded, an incident which did not result in injuries. Otherwise, there have been no ride safety issues in the park's history.
Among the food at the park is Dippin' Dots
.
In 2005, park management expressed interest in additional roller coasters.
named the park the "Top Employer of Youth", in Canada.
Department managers, as of 2003, were allowed to run their operation as if "separate businesses", to give a more entrepreneurial drive. Permanent staff are encouraged to actively participate in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
, to gain new ideas, and ensure the park doesn't remain creatively isolated. In 2010, it won "Best Reward and Recognition Program (Facility under 1 million)" from IAAPA's Human Resources Excellence Awards.
Springbank, Alberta
Springbank is a rural community in southern Alberta in Rocky View County. It is located immediately west of the City of Calgary, east of Highway 22, south of the Bow River and north of the rural community of Elbow Valley...
, Rocky View County, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) west of the city of Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
on the Trans-Canada Highway
Trans-Canada Highway
The Trans-Canada Highway is a federal-provincial highway system that joins the ten provinces of Canada. It is, along with the Trans-Siberian Highway and Australia's Highway 1, one of the world's longest national highways, with the main route spanning 8,030 km...
.
The park features a variety of rides including a large log flume
Log flume
A log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
, the rides "Chaos" and "Storm", and the park's two biggest attractions: "The Vortex", its corkscrew roller coaster
Roller coaster
The roller coaster is a popular amusement ride developed for amusement parks and modern theme parks. LaMarcus Adna Thompson patented the first coasters on January 20, 1885...
, and the "Dream Machine", a 56-passenger swing ride. There are many other rides that are unique to the park.
Calaway Park currently has 33 rides, 22 food stalls, 27 games, and covers 90 acre (0.3642174 km²). The park has been in continuous operation since 1982.
History
The park was created by John McAfee, a former Red DeerRed Deer, Alberta
Red Deer is a city in Central Alberta, Canada. It is located near the midpoint of the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor and is surrounded by Red Deer County. It is Alberta's third-most-populous city – after Calgary and Edmonton. The city is located in aspen parkland, a region of rolling hills...
lawyer, and 15 other investors from British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. Around 1979, the group paid $500,000 to Hanna-Barbera Productions for the licensing rights to the characters and locations in The Flintstones
The Flintstones
The Flintstones is an animated, prime-time American television sitcom that screened from September 30, 1960 to April 1, 1966, on ABC. Produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions, The Flintstones was about a working class Stone Age man's life with his family and his next-door neighbor and best friend. It...
. While the original TV show ended in 1966, various Saturday morning series continued the basic plot lines, including The New Fred and Barney Show
The New Fred and Barney Show
The New Fred and Barney Show was a 30-minute Saturday morning cartoon produced by Hanna-Barbera as a 1979 series revival of The Flintstones from February 3 to October 20, 1979 on NBC...
(1979) and The Flintstone Comedy Show
The Flintstone Comedy Show (1980)
The Flintstone Comedy Show was a 90-minute Saturday morning animated series revival of The Flintstones produced by Hanna-Barbera and aired from November 22, 1980 to September 11, 1982 on NBC...
. In addition to the Flintstones theme, a Victorian motif was planned for the park; similar to the Grande World Exposition of 1890 in Canada's Wonderland, which opened in 1981. It was presumed by park founders that parents' entrance fees, along with food and gift purchases, would pay operating costs.
Originally planned as Flintstone Fun Park, the project was to cost $8 million; costs "mushroomed" during an energy and real estate boom. The park cost $25 million, including $3 million for the primary corkscrew roller coaster.
Tied up with development appeals
On October 16, 1979, Municipal District of Rocky View No. 44 councillors voted 6 to 1 approve the Flintstone Fun Park, the opposing vote coming from the Springbank councillor. The approval came after council sat as the Development Appeal Board over a six-week period, and included a field-trip to "similar" parks in the United States. During hearings, residents submitted that it would ruin their rural lifestyle, while the Calgary Regional Planning Commission suggested it would not comply with established planning documents. The approval came with the requirements that there be a distance between it and two nearby schools, that the park and parking lot be in the north end of the property, that development beyond the initial 60 acres (of a total 143 acres) would require further development application and approval, and that the park comply with a noise provision. The park was to have all layout plans, landscaping, landscaping materials, operation practices, and entrance and exit signs meet with M.D. approval. Bill Copithorne, councillor for the Springbank area, suggested to the media that conditions weren't specific enough for residents.The Alberta Appeal Court (AAC) ordered a second hearing by the council, again sitting as the Development Appeal Board. The hearing took place in June 1980; three of the councillors were disqualified by the AAC for having visited the American parks previously. The developers argued that they felt 90 per cent of area residents wouldn't object once they visited the park and realized they'd be "proud" of it. If approved, the developers suggested that they would welcome a committee "mostly of opponents" to have a say in planning the park. Locals objected to a proposed fake mountain. McAfee denied knowledge of a statement of company objectives, which included the creation of an on-site hotel. Both sides argued whether the park met the definition of a country recreation centre.
The Flintstone Fun Park developers felt 200,000 people would visit in the first year, and somewhere between 400,000 and 500,000 annually after a decade or two. By this point, the expectation was that there would be a four-lane overpass above Springbank Road, to lessen the traffic disruption. McAfee said the company did not expect to be profitable in the first few years. Approval was given with conditions.
A cement truck depot was seeking to move into Springbank at the same time, it too was opposed. It was blocked quickly on the grounds that the regional plan limited industry in rural areas.
Nine land owners filed a motion in the Alberta Appeal Court in mid-July, seeking permission to challenge the ruling on the grounds that council acted contrary to both a local by-law and the Calgary regional plan, didn't adequately explain its decision, and overstepped its powers by attaching conditions.
Without the ability to ask the Alberta Planning Board (APB) themselves, the Springbank Action Group (SAG) asked in February 1981 that the Calgary Regional Planning Commission or Rocky View school board refer the matter to the APB, using recent legislation that allowed it to settle the situation. Once either organisation had brought the matter to the APB, the SAG would take over from them and represent the opposition. SAG would probably concede if the APB voted against them, but would be able to appeal the ruling in the courts should the APB rule against the park.
With its major challenges out of the way, Flintstone Fun Park changed its name to Calaway Park, and was under development by January 1982.
Bill Copithorne, the sole dissenting vote in the Municipal District's initial approval, was now the Rocky View reeve. Talking at a January 11, 1982, town hall meeting organized by the new citizen's group Partners in Progress, Copithorne warned that further development would be inevitable along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor. He called for a new general plan to ensure that further additions would be "high-class". A proposed commercial strip would include a motel and RV campground. The director of the Calgary Regional Planning Commission disagreed with Copithorne's statement of "inevitability"; a hearing on the motel and campground were scheduled for January 22. Rocky View's planning director noted that a commercial zone might not happen, and commercial development in Springbank might happen away from the highway as well. Simultaneously, Municipal Affairs Minister Marvin Moore was considering further Municipal District representation for the Springbank and Bearspaw
Bearspaw, Alberta
Bearspaw is a rural community in southern Alberta, Canada within Rocky View County consisting mostly of country residential acreages.Bearspaw is located northwest of the City of Calgary and east of the Town of Cochrane, on Highway 1A...
areas, a request triggered by residents after high population growth.
Area resident Mary Luzi asked the area government to block the creation of a 31-metre-high rollercoaster; this was unsuccessful. McAfee, who lived a "half mile away" from the park site, admitted he would be displeased if he could see a corkscrew roller coaster from his house. The coaster was painted in earth tones, to blend in with the foothills. Said Luzi: "What does that do when there are still purple and red roofs, along with oranges, yellows and blues?" Trees, bushes, and landscaping were to block the sitelines.
Opening to financial difficulties
By opening day in 1982, the boom in Calgary had passed. The city was mired in recession and forecasting a decrease in population for the first time in a century. Unlike in the United States, there were many government-supported rival attractions, such as the Calgary ZooCalgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo is located in Bridgeland, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, just east of the city's downtown and adjacent to the Inglewood and East Village neighbourhoods. It is accessible via Calgary's C-Train light rail system, by car via Memorial Drive and by bicycle and footpath via the Bow River...
and Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
.
Initial entrance fee to the park was a "hefty" $11.95, with unlimited access to attractions. This is standard within the industry; all attractions were available with one ticket at Disneyland as of June 1982. Canadians objected to this simplified plan. The 14 attractions included The Flintstones themed attractions, the Corkscrew roller coaster, a petting zoo, and Cinema 180; entertainment included costumed characters of the Flintstones. American Kent Lamasters was hired as general manager.
By 1983, the park was facing 17 lawsuits totaling $1 million, including from Batra Construction Ltd. ($772,000), Canadian Western Natural Gas, the Municipal District of Rocky View, and the Canadian federal government.
It sought help from the provincial government
Politics of Alberta
The politics of Alberta are centred on a provincial government resembling that of the other Canadian provinces, namely a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The capital of the province is Edmonton, where the Lieutenant Governor, Premier, the legislature, and cabinet reside.The...
's Department of Tourism and Small Business. The government was not interested in the park from an equity standpoint. Alberta Opportunity Co., a Crown corporation set up to finance or assist management of viable small and medium businesses in the province, was not approached, at least in the early stage.
On February 11, 1983, the park landed in receivership, with Touche Ross Ltd. (now known as Deloitte) continuing its operations. All 17 lawsuits were stayed upon receivership.
To attempt to attain profitability, the park cut admission fees, started events, and began a $1.1 million capital expansion. All of the changes were aimed at older age groups; the child-centric Flintstones theme was considered too minor to support the large facility; dropping the licensing fees helped fund the renovations. Along with new shows and rides, a restaurant was to feature more sophisticated foods and a liquor license. The admission cut was based on general manager Lemaster's success at Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City is a theme park in the state of Missouri. Opened on May 1, 1960, the park is located between Branson and Branson West, Missouri, on Highway 76...
, doing the same while marking things up within the park. Gordon Dixon bought the park, and management reformatted the attraction as an amusement park, rather than a theme park. A third of the landscaping was lost after the first season, as their Ontario landscaper wasnot familiar with the dry Alberta weather conditions.
After the 1984 season ended, receiver Touche Ross ended its stay. A deal with Northland Bank
Northland Bank
The Northland Bank was an Alberta-based Canadian bankthat failed in 1985. It was incorporated in 1974.See also: List of Canadian banks; Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation-References:...
went into effect during the autumn, after waiting for government approval. Northland bought the park from its original owners, selling the new company (Calalta Amusements Ltd.) back on better terms. It took over loans of $3.5 million from the Royal Bank of Canada
Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada or RBC Financial Group is the largest financial institution in Canada, as measured by deposits, revenues, and market capitalization. The bank serves seventeen million clients and has 80,100 employees worldwide. The company corporate headquarters are located in Toronto,...
and Bank of America Canada
Bank of America Canada
Bank of America Canada , was a wholly owned U.S. bank subsidiary, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was a Schedule II bank under the Canada Bank Act to accept deposits which may be eligible for deposit insurance provided by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation.In 2001, Bank of...
. They saw promise in attendance numbers, and kept the park open for 1985. (Northland itself was financially shaky, with declared loan losses of $4.5 million in 1983. Northland folded in 1985.)
Reformatting turns park around
During the off-season between 1984 to 1985, there was a rearranging of $17 million of debt, which allowed the park to return to profitability. The 1985 season saw the addition of AquaRage, Canada's only dry-wet ride. This was to replace a large log ride that was too chilly, given the climate. Concerts included Doug and the SlugsDoug and the Slugs
Doug and the Slugs are a Canadian new-wave/power-pop band based in Vancouver. The group was formed in 1977 and was most active throughout the 1980s. They are best remembered for the Canadian top 40 hits "Too Bad" , "Making It Work" and "Tomcat Prowl"...
, Ozark Mountain Daredevils
Ozark Mountain Daredevils
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils are a Southern rock/country rock band formed in 1972 in Springfield, Missouri, USA. They are most widely known for their singles "If You Wanna Get To Heaven" in 1974 and "Jackie Blue" in 1975....
, and various contemporary tribute acts. By the end of their fourth season, Calaway Park turned a profit, despite 35 bad weather days, 10 above the expected average. The company continued to make loan payments to Northland as part of its five-year loan.
When the park opened in 1982, many of the buildings, merchandise, and rides were styled around licensed Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera
Hanna-Barbera Productions, Inc. was an American animation studio that dominated North American television animation during the second half of the 20th century...
characters. These can be still seen today in some of the older and colourful Flintstones-style buildings. The licensing was dropped in favour of reinvesting the funds into tangible capital projects to improve the grounds. The park has generally avoided licensing since, aside from its Theodore Tugboat
Theodore Tugboat
Theodore Tugboat is a Canadian children's television series about a tugboat named Theodore who lives in the Big Harbour with all of his friends. The show was produced in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada by the CBC , and the now defunct Cochran Entertainment, and was filmed on a model set using radio...
soft playground. The park has paid outside licensees, including for 2009 appearances by Dora
Dora the Explorer
Dora the Explorer is an American animated television series created by Chris Gifford, Valerie Walsh, and Eric Weiner. Dora the Explorer became a regular series in 2000. The show is carried on the Nickelodeon cable television network, including the associated Nick Jr. channel. It aired on CBS until...
, Diego, and SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
.
Early in their career, in the 1980s, Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo
Blue Rodeo is a Canadian pop and country rock band, which was formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have been signed with Warner Music Group since their debut album Outskirts in March 1987...
did a performance at Calaway Park; their five performance booking was poorly received by the mothers and children at the park.
In 1988 Calaway Park introduced two mascots, Jack Bunny and Jill O' Hare, who can now be seen roaming the streets of the Park; The Jack and Jill Club 10th Birthday Bash! musical was presented in 2005. The club is open to season pass holders aged 3 to 12.
The park's director of marketing, Bob Williams, became known throughout the Calgary tourist attraction scene as "The Coupon King". As of 2003, the park would flood the market with 3 million coupons a year, including direct mail discounts to 800,000 households; of those mailed coupons, 70,000 are redeemed. They estimate over 75% of admissions are discounted.
Recent seasons
In 2001 the park developed five new acres of land of the 160 acre (0.6474976 km²) Calaway owns. The Corkscrew Roller Coaster underwent a major transformation in 2005, including a new paint scheme, a new theme, and a new name, becoming The Vortex Roller Coaster. The Vortex roller coaster is 70 feet (21.3 m) tall and has two inversions. The park's gas-powered bumper boats were taken out of service, and newer environment-friendly electric powered boats featuring water squirt guns were introduced, becoming The BumperBoat Splash Challenge! Two thrill rides were also repainted and renamed that year, as the Mountain Scrambler became Adrenaline Test Zone and the family thrill ride SkyRider became the Wave Rider. Also added was Halloweekends, a five-weekend event during which the park undergoes a haunted transformation, including an updated Haunted House, Freaky Food, a Spooktacular Stage Show, and many characters roaming the streets of the park."Twiz & Twirl: The World’s First Interactive Dual-Zone Maze" and thrill ride Chaos were added in 2005, with chair swing Swing Around taken out for next year's The Storm. The park's 25th anniversary, the next year, added The Storm: Mother Nature's Thrill Ride, children's swing ride Swirly Twirl, and U-Drive: Safety School Of Motoring, a renovated Turnpike. The park entrance was renovated. Drop tower Free Fallin' replaced Topsy Turvy, swing ride The Dream Machine, ferris wheel Balloon Ascension, and Flying Ace were added in 2007. Family ride Tip Top was retired at the end of the season. Samba Spin was added in 2008.
Mind Blaster debuted for the 30th anniversary of the park in 2011. As of late July, the park attendance was down 3%, due to a "cool wet spring." July has been "good for business", with August traditionally their busiest month.
Their troupe of live performers performs shows written and produced by Chris Thompson, the park's entertainment director. They produce four to six shows annually, targeted at families with children 2 to 14.
Almost half a million visited in 2003, double the 210,000 in 1991, also doubling the in-park revenue. The 500,000 number continued as of the 2010 season. up from 575 in 2004. As of 2003, they had 65,000 season pass holders. The park had record breaking attendance in July and August. Fifty percent of ticket sales are in the Christmas period, when Calaway does extensive marketing of its tickets as "stocking stuffers". While the park is deemed an "important" tourist draw in the Rocky View County, nearby CrossIron Mills
Crossiron Mills
CrossIron Mills is a fully enclosed shopping centre development just outside the northern city limits of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and immediately east of the hamlet of Balzac in Rocky View County. It was developed by Ivanhoe Cambridge, a major Canadian real estate company...
with its planned racetrack and casino is expected to supplant the park as the biggest draw.
Rides and attractions
In 2008, the ride SuperJet allegedly starting before all children had boarded, an incident which did not result in injuries. Otherwise, there have been no ride safety issues in the park's history.
Among the food at the park is Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots
Dippin' Dots is an ice cream snack, invented by Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduate Curt Jones in 1987. The confection is created by flash freezing ice cream mix in liquid nitrogen; consequently, Dippin' Dots contain less air than conventional ice cream...
.
Children's rides
- Ball Crawl - ball pitBall pitA ball pit is a pit, usually rectangular and padded, filled with small colorful hollow plastic balls...
where kids under 54" can play in - Freddie Fireboat - soft playground
- Theodore Tugboat - soft playground based on Theodore TugboatTheodore TugboatTheodore Tugboat is a Canadian children's television series about a tugboat named Theodore who lives in the Big Harbour with all of his friends. The show was produced in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada by the CBC , and the now defunct Cochran Entertainment, and was filmed on a model set using radio...
(1994–2001), a Canadian children's series - Biplanes: Stunt School - ride consisting of biplanes being raised and lowered as the ride spins
- Boulder Bumper Cars - children bumper carBumper carBumper car is the generic name for a type of flat ride consisting of several small electric cars which draw power from the floor and/or ceiling, and which are turned on and off remotely by an operator...
s - Tot Yachts - revolving boat ride
- Baja Buggies (New in 2010) - a kiddie off-road adventure that simulates a dune buggy going over sand
- Hilltop Railway (Renovated in 2007) - miniature train along a track. Formerly known as Calaway Express.
- Super Trucks - another variation of a mini-train with truck-like cars
- SuperJet Rollercoaster - A junior steel rollercoasterSteel roller coasterA steel roller coaster is a roller coaster that is defined by having a track made of steel. Steel coasters have earned immense popularity in the past 50 years throughout the world...
designed for small children - Swirly Twirl - small chairswinger that carries small children at a slow speed
Family rides
- Eggs - Egg-shaped cars raised and lowered as they rotate at a slow speed
- Carousel - Merry-go-round
- Haunted Mansion - a spooky-themed house
- BumperBoat: Splash Challenge - electric powered bumper boatsBumper boatsBumper boats are an amusement park ride that uses inner tube shaped watercraft that can be steered by the rider. Some are driven by electric motors, some by gasoline engines, and some require the rider to propel the craft by pedaling. Most are equipped with water guns for duels with other riders...
with squirt jets - Flying Ace (new in 2007) - A small swinging ride that gently carries passengers back and forth
- Balloon Ascension (new in 2007) - A Ferris wheel-like ride that holds guests inside balloon-shaped cars
- Samba Spin (new in 2008) - A spinning ride that rises up. The cars are independent from the ride allowing guests to spin themselves.
- Aeromax (new in 2010) - Small planes suspended in the air by steel cables spin around in a circle
- Berry Go Round - consists of 6 giant berries that spin as the ride turns in a circle. Each berry contains a center wheel that guests turn to make the berry spin faster.
- Rocky Mountain Railroad - Miniature Train that travels around a quarter mile of track, and includes going through a man-made tunnel.
- SkyClimber - 6 Gondola cars that lift up on a hydraulic arm while turning in a circle
- U Drive - Safety School of Motoring - antique car ride around an eighth of a mile of electric track.
Thrill rides
- AirGliders - takes you on a dizzying trip around in a circle as a giant arm raises and lowers you. Formerly known as Paratrooper
- Adrenaline Test Zone - The ride has three arms with seven cars on each arm that each spins you around and lifts you high off the ground. Manufacturer name: Troika (ride)Troika (ride)The Troika is an amusement park ride, designed and manufactured by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in the mid-1970s. The ride is available in both transportable and permanent forms, although due to the total weight and size of the ride , transportable Troikas are unpopular and uncommon...
- Chaos - ride that raises you up in the air, circles you around and flips you around and around in your carrier
- Dodgem' - Adults and big kids can test their driving skills by negotiating their way around others, bumping into whatever is in their way
- Ocean Motion - ride consisting of a large ship that swings back and forth to great heights
- Cosmic Spin (Renovated in 2007) - fast ride that rotates continuously on a hydraulic arm that raises you up. Formerly known as Round-em' up.
- Shoot the Chutes (Log RideLog flumeA log flume is a flume specifically constructed to transport lumber and logs down mountainous terrain to a sawmill by using flowing water. These watertight trough-like channels could be built to span a long distance across chasms and down steep mountain slopes...
) - water ride in a log boat, going up and back down two water slides measuring 7.5m and 10.5m vertical drops - Storm - consists of 20 cages attached to a revolving wheel that lifts up while spinning at great speeds. At full height, cages go upside down. Original manufacturer name, Enterprise (ride)Enterprise (ride)The Enterprise is an amusement ride, manufactured primarily by HUSS Maschinenfabrik in 1972. The ride was an adaptation and improvement of a design produced earlier that year by Schwarzkopf, with an increased passenger capacity. Despite not owning the original incarnation of the ride, HUSS was...
- Wave Rider - ride consisting of fourteen arms with one car on each arm. The arms pop you up and swing you out
- Vortex (1982) - Double corkscrew rollercoaster ride, that begins at a height of 70 feet, dropping with two inversions. Upside-down at points. Designed by Arrow Dynamics. The ride was originally called Turn of the Century, then Corkscrew, earning the current moniker in the 2005 season.
- Dream Machine (new in 2007) - A large chairswinger that pivots and tilts as it swings passengers
- Free Fallin' (new in 2007) - A 40' drop tower ride. Family-friendly.
- Mind Blaster (new in 2011) - rolls back and forth and up and down, as guests – who are seated on circular carriages that spin rapidly
In 2005, park management expressed interest in additional roller coasters.
Employment and staffing
Calaway Park staff includes 27 full time staff and over 750 seasonal employees, Over 4300 applications were received annually, as of the 2009 season. Each receives a minimum of 20 general training hours, and 5 to 12 department training hours. About half of all guest comments about employees are positive. In 2000, the Conference Board of CanadaConference Board of Canada
The Conference Board of Canada is a not-for-profit Canadian organization dedicated to researching and analyzing economic trends, as well as organizational performance and public policy issues....
named the park the "Top Employer of Youth", in Canada.
Department managers, as of 2003, were allowed to run their operation as if "separate businesses", to give a more entrepreneurial drive. Permanent staff are encouraged to actively participate in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
Founded in 1918, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions represents over 4000 members, in 93 countries, as a collective way to increase operations while maintaining professional standards...
, to gain new ideas, and ensure the park doesn't remain creatively isolated. In 2010, it won "Best Reward and Recognition Program (Facility under 1 million)" from IAAPA's Human Resources Excellence Awards.
External links
- Calaway Park at the Roller Coaster DataBaseRoller Coaster DataBaseThe Roller Coaster DataBase is an extensive roller coaster and amusement park database. RCDB was started in 1996 by Duane Marden, who still operates the site...
- "Reviving Calaway", IAAPA Fun World, November 2003.