Calaway Park

Calaway Park

Slogan Just for Fun / Your Playcation Destination / Your Smile is Our Mission
Location Springbank, Alberta, Canada
Coordinates 51°05′11″N 114°21′28″W / 51.08639°N 114.35778°W / 51.08639; -114.35778Coordinates: 51°05′11″N 114°21′28″W / 51.08639°N 114.35778°W / 51.08639; -114.35778
Owner Gordon Franklin Dixon, QC[1]
General Manager Bev Berenson (2011)[2]
Opened 1982
Previous names Flintstone Fun Park (pre-opening)
Operating season May (Victoria Day weekend) to mid-October weekends, July and August daily
Area 160 acres (100 operating)
Rides
Total 32
Roller coasters 2
Water rides 3
Website http://www.calawaypark.com

Calaway Park is Western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park.[3] The park is located in Springbank, Alberta,[4] 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 acres (0.36 km2). The park has been in continuous operation since 1982.

Rides and attractions

Children's rides
Rocky Mountain Railroad Tunnel, near the train station
Big Eli, Calaway Park's Ferris wheel. The Big Maze (added in 1989)[5] and the Golf Course are partly shown.

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.

Safety incidents and ride injuries

In 2008, the ride SuperJet allegedly started before all children had boarded, an incident which did not result in injuries. [6]There have also been multiple reports of young children receiving second degree burns in the Theodore the Tugboat play area due to a combination of the temperature of black rubber mats sitting in direct sunlight and Calaway Park's policy that children not wear shoes on the play structure. Theodore Tugboat is no longer an attraction at Calaway Park. [7][8]

Children's rides

Family rides

Thrill rides

In 2005, park management expressed interest in additional roller coasters.[14]

History

The park was created by John McAfee, a former Red Deer 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.[15] 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;[15] 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.[16]

Originally planned as Flintstone Fun Park,[4] the project was to cost $8 million; costs "mushroomed" during an energy and real estate boom.[17] The park cost $25 million, including $3 million for the primary corkscrew roller coaster.[15]

Tied up with development appeals

On 16 October 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.[18]

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.[19]

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.[19] Approval was given with conditions.[20]

A cement truck depot was seeking to move into Springbank at the same time, it too was opposed.[21] It was blocked quickly on the grounds that the regional plan limited industry in rural areas.[20]

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.[20]

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.[22]

With its major challenges out of the way, Flintstone Fun Park changed its name to Calaway Park, and was under development by January 1982.[23]

Bill Copithorne, the sole dissenting vote in the Municipal District's initial approval, was now the Rocky View reeve. Talking at an 11 January 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 22 January. 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.[23] 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.[23]

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.[15]

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.[16] Unlike in the United States, there were many government-supported rival attractions, such as the Calgary Zoo and Calgary Stampede.[17]

Initial entrance fee to the park was a "hefty" $11.95, with unlimited access to attractions.[15] This is standard within the industry; all attractions were available with one ticket at Disneyland as of June 1982.[24] Canadians objected to this simplified plan.[25] The 14 attractions included The Flintstones themed attractions, the Corkscrew roller coaster, a petting zoo, and Cinema 180;[25] entertainment included costumed characters of the Flintstones.[26] American Kent Lamasters was hired as general manager.[17]

By 1983, the park was facing 17 lawsuits totaling $1 million,[27] including from Batra Construction Ltd. ($772,000), Canadian Western Natural Gas, the Municipal District of Rocky View, and the Canadian federal government.[28]

It sought help from the provincial government's Department of Tourism and Small Business.[29] 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.[28]

On 11 February 1983, the park landed in receivership, with Touche Ross Ltd. (now known as Deloitte) continuing its operations. All 17 lawsuits were stayed upon receivership.[27]

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.[17] 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.[30] Gordon Dixon bought the park, and management reformatted the attraction as an amusement park, rather than a theme park.[25] A third of the landscaping was lost after the first season, as their Ontario landscaper was not familiar with the dry Alberta weather conditions.[25]

After the 1984 season ended, receiver Touche Ross ended its stay.[16] 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.[16] (Northland itself was financially shaky, with declared loan losses of $4.5 million in 1983.[17] Northland folded in 1985.)[31][32]

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.[16] 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 Slugs, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and various contemporary tribute acts.[16] 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.[33]

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.[34] The licensing was dropped in favour of reinvesting the funds into tangible capital projects to improve the grounds.[17] The park has generally avoided licensing since, aside from its Theodore Tugboat soft playground.[35] The park has paid outside licensees, including for 2009 appearances by Dora, Diego, and SpongeBob SquarePants.[36]

Early in their career, in the 1980s, Blue Rodeo did a performance at Calaway Park;[37] their five performance booking was poorly received by the mothers and children at the park.[38]

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.[39] The club is open to season pass holders aged 3 to 12.[40]

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.[25]

Recent seasons

In 2001 the park developed five new acres of land of the 160 acres (0.65 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 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.[39] 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.[41]

"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.[42] 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.[43] Drop tower Free Fallin' replaced Topsy Turvy, swing ride The Dream Machine, ferris wheel Balloon Ascension, and Flying Ace were added in 2007.[44] Family ride Tip Top was retired at the end of the season. Samba Spin was added in 2008.[45]

Mind Blaster debuted for the 30th anniversary of the park in 2011.[46] 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.[47]

Their troupe of live performers performs shows written and produced by Chris Thompson, the park's entertainment director.[25] They produce four to six shows annually, targeted at families with children 2 to 14.[48]

Almost half a million visited in 2003, double the 210,000 in 1991, also doubling the in-park revenue.[25] The 500,000 number continued as of the 2010 season.[49] up from 575 in 2004.[50] As of 2003, they had 65,000 season pass holders.[25] The park had record breaking attendance in July and August.[51] Fifty percent of ticket sales are in the Christmas period, when Calaway does extensive marketing of its tickets as "stocking stuffers".[52] While the park is deemed an "important" tourist draw in the Rocky View County, CrossIron Mills with its planned racetrack and casino is expected to supplant the park as the biggest draw.[53]

Calaway and the University of Calgary offer a physics program involving roller coasters.[54] The Calgary Cerebral Palsy Association hosts an annual "Light Up a Child's Life" event at the park, free for mentally or physically challenged children and their parents.[55]

In 2013, RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust and Tanger Factory Outlet Centers announced the intended Q3 purchase of a 35-acre parcel of land, "with the intention to develop the land into an outlet centre of approximately 350,000 square feet."[56] The sale would be to surplus land, not the park itself. Tourism Calgary reported that numbers at attractions were strong in summer 2013, including those from out of town, following the 2013 Alberta floods.[57]

Employment and staffing

Calaway Park staff includes 27 full-time staff and over 750 seasonal employees,[49] 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 two thirds of all guest comments about employees are positive. In 2000, the Conference Board of Canada named the park the "Top Employer of Youth", in Canada.[49]

Department managers, as of 2003, were allowed to run their operation as if "separate businesses", to give a more entrepreneurial drive.[25] 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.[25] In 2010, it won "Best Reward and Recognition Program (Facility under 1 million)" from IAAPA's Human Resources Excellence Awards.[58]

References

  1. ↑ "EXECUTIVE PROFILE*: Gordon F. Dixon Q. C.". Bloomberg Businessweek. Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  2. ↑ IAAPA Attractions Expo 2011 Exhibitor & Sponsor Information. Alexandria VA: IAAPA. 2011. p. 6. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  3. ↑ "Things To Do: Amusement & Theme Parks". Travel Alberta. 2013. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  4. 1 2 Sterling, Charles (5 October 1981). "New amusement park quickly taking shape". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  5. ↑ "A-mazing attraction". The Toronto Star. 16 May 1989. Viewed 8 May 2011; exact scheduled opening date was Saturday, 20 May 1989.
  6. ↑ "Incident closes Calaway Park ride". The Calgary Herald. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. ↑ "Mom says toddler burned feat in Calaway Park play area". CBC News. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  8. ↑ "Calgary tot burns foot in play area at Calaway Park". Calgary Sun. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  9. 1 2 http://www.660news.com/news/local/article/58175--calaway-park-offers-new-attractions-for-expected-crowds
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 http://www.calawaypark.com/rides.html
  11. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Mini Express - Calaway Park (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)". RCDB/Marden, Duane. RCDB - Rollercoaster Database/Marden, Duane. Retrieved 2013-08-22.
  12. ↑ Throgmorton, Todd H. (2009). "Alberta". Roller coasters: United States and Canada (3rd ed.). Jefferson NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-7864-3910-2. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  13. ↑ Marden, Duane. "Vortex (Calaway Park)". rollercoasterdatabase. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "What ride or attraction would be a dream addition to your facility?". Funworld. Alexandria VA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. April 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 "Calgary theme park has its opponents". The Leader-Post. Regina SK. Canadian Press. 23 June 1982. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Amusement park in Alberta rides economic rollercoaster". The Gazette. Montreal QC. Canadian Press. 21 May 1985. Retrieved 27 April 2011. Alternatively, article also published in Globe and Mail, 21 May 1985, page B10.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Jaremko, Gordon (6 May 1984). "'God created Disneyland' – but Calaway?". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  18. ↑ Sterling, Charles (17 October 1979). "Flintstone fun park given green light by Rocky View council". The Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. p. B14. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  19. 1 2 Sterling, Charles (13 June 1980). "Developer vows Flintstones will be 'good neighbors'". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  20. 1 2 3 "Fun park may go back to court". The Calgary Herald. 24 July 1980. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  21. ↑ Sterling, Charles (16 June 1980). "Planners consider moving bulk fuel depots out of town". The Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. p. C1. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
  22. ↑ "Ruling sought on Flintstone park". The Calgary Herald. 4 February 1981. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  23. 1 2 3 Sterling, Charles (12 January 1982). "Rocky View reeve warns community to expect projects". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
  24. ↑ Weiss, Werner. "More About Disneyland Tickets". Yesterland. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Elliott, Frank (November 2003). "Reviving Calaway". Funworld. International Association of Amusement Park Attractions. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  26. ↑ "HomExpo 82 advertisement". The Calgary Herald. 7 April 1982. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  27. 1 2 "Playground problems". The Leader-Post. Regina SK. Canadian Press. 18 February 1983. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  28. 1 2 Ramondt, Joanne (3 February 1983). "Ailing Calaway Park seeks provincial aid". The Calgary Herald. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  29. ↑ "Calaway Park seeks financial aid". The Phoenix. Saskatoon SK. Canadian Press. 4 February 1983. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  30. ↑ O'Brien, Tim (May 2007). "Making It Work". FunWorld. Alexandria VA: International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  31. ↑ "Northland critical as regional bank, Albertans claim". Edmonton Journal. Edmonton AB. Journal News Services. 25 October 1986. p. A2. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  32. ↑ "Bouey criticizes public for bank over-reaction". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa ON. The Canadian Press. 28 October 1985. p. A1. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  33. ↑ "Park turns profitable after four lean years". The Globe and Mail. Toronto ON. Canadian Press. 12 November 1985. p. B17.
  34. ↑ "Calaway Park". Family Vacation Central. Calgary AB. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  35. ↑ "Inside the Park: Rides". Calaway Park. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  36. ↑ "2009 Brass Ring Awards Winner: Seasonal or Special Event Program Class 2 Calaway Park, Calgary, Alberta, Canada", International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, 2009.
  37. ↑ Vaughan, Todd (21 July 2011). "Under a sky of blue". Metro News Calgary. Calgary AB. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  38. ↑ Armstrong, Denis (20 September 2007). "Blue Rodeo to play free gigs". Canoe Jam!. Toronto ON. Retrieved 10 August 2011. It looked like Stonehenge. We played to about a dozen mothers and their children, who didn't want to listen to us, but wanted to play with the cartoon characters. It was our Spinal Tap moment.
  39. 1 2 "What's New in 2005". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. 2005. Archived from the original on 22 June 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  40. ↑ "Seasons Pass – Jack and Jill Club". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  41. ↑ "Halloweekends at Calaway Park". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. 2005. Archived from the original on 4 November 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  42. ↑ "What's New in 2004". Calgary AB. Calgary AB. 2004. Archived from the original on 2 June 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  43. ↑ "What's New". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. 2006. Archived from the original on 7 July 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  44. ↑ "What's New". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. 2007. Archived from the original on 1 July 2007. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  45. ↑ "What's New". Calaway Park. Calgary AB. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 July 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  46. ↑ "Happy Anniversary Calaway Park". CTV Calgary. Calgary AB. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2011.
  47. ↑ Eyles, Kari (26 July 2011). "Sales affected by soggy summer". CTV Calgary. Calgary AB. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  48. ↑ Miller, Keith (June 2007). "Showing Off". FunWorld. Alexandria VA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  49. 1 2 3 "Calaway Park submission package for 2009 Alto Awards", Travel Alberta website, 10 August 2009.
  50. ↑ Vallianatos, C. L. "Women in the Industry". FunWorld. Calgary AB: IAAPA. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  51. ↑ Parker, David (13 September 2011). "Around Town: New venture offers storage for seniors". Calgary Herald. Calgary AB. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  52. ↑ Bederka, Mike (September 2005). "The On-Season". FunWorld. Alexandria VA: International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  53. ↑ Nichols Applied Management (February 2008). Rocky View 2060: Background Economic Development Study. Rocky View County AB: Rocky View County. p. 16. Viewed 18 July 2011.
  54. ↑ http://www.ucalgary.ca/science/news/rollercoaster_may25_2012
  55. ↑ http://www.autismcalgary.com/2013/04/calaway-park-saturday-may-25th/
  56. ↑ http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/riocan-real-estate-investment-trust-announces-record-results-with-20-increase-operating-tsx-rei.un-1786241.htm
  57. ↑ http://www.canada.com/Alberta+tourism+industry+bounces+back/8695805/story.html
  58. ↑ "2011 Human Resources Excellence Award". IAAPA. Alexandria VA. 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.

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