Calaway Park

Calaway Park is a family-oriented amusement park and campground in Springbank, Alberta, approximately four kilometres west of Calgary's city limits. The property covers about 160 acres, while the developed amusement-park area occupies roughly 90 acres. It combines rides, carnival games, food service, entertainment, seasonal events, and campground facilities, serving Calgary and the wider Alberta and Western Canadian market. The project originated in 1979 when former Red Deer lawyer John McAfee and a group of 15 investors began planning a large attraction. The initial concept was called Flintstone Fun Park and was to use licensed characters and settings from Hanna-Barbera's The Flintstones. The investors paid approximately $500,000 for the relevant licensing rights. A Victorian-inspired area was also contemplated, reflecting the period's interest in themed environments and exposition-style amusement parks. The planned development encountered strong local opposition over traffic, noise, rural land use, visibility, and possible future commercial expansion. Rocky View municipal approval was challenged through Alberta's appeal process, leading to additional hearings and prolonged uncertainty. The park was renamed Calaway Park during development, reportedly combining the nearby city of Calgary with the idea that the attraction was located away from the city. Construction costs rose sharply from an initial estimate of about $8 million to approximately $25 million, including the major Corkscrew roller coaster. The park opened in 1982 during a serious downturn in Calgary's economy. Its original all-inclusive admission model, Flintstones-oriented presentation, and high development costs made the early business difficult. The opening attraction mix included 14 rides and attractions, the Corkscrew coaster, a petting zoo, Cinema 180, themed buildings, and costumed Flintstones characters. Financial pressure intensified after opening. By 1983 the business faced 17 lawsuits involving approximately $1 million in claims, and it entered receivership on February 11 of that year. Touche Ross continued operating the park while the business was reorganized. Management reduced admission prices, introduced new events and rides, pursued a roughly $1.1 million capital program, and shifted the positioning from a narrowly themed children's park toward a broader amusement park for families and older visitors. The Flintstones licence was eventually dropped, allowing money to be redirected toward physical improvements and reducing dependence on an external entertainment property. A restructuring during the 1984–1985 off-season rearranged approximately $17 million of debt. Northland Bank acquired the park from its original owners and sold it to the reorganized Calalta Amusements Ltd. under revised terms, while taking on loans associated with the Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of America Canada. The 1985 season added AquaRage and a concert program, and the park returned to profitability by the end of its fourth season despite unusually poor weather. Northland Bank itself failed in 1985, but Calaway Park continued operating. Over subsequent decades, Calaway Park expanded its ride portfolio and developed a more independent identity. Its long-running mascots Jack Bunny and Jill O'Hare were introduced in 1988. The park became known for extensive coupon distribution and discounted admissions, with marketing director Bob Williams gaining the nickname “The Coupon King.” Later initiatives included the Vortex roller coaster, renamed and refurbished from the original Corkscrew; environmentally friendlier electric bumper boats; the Halloweekends seasonal event; thrill rides, family rides, children's attractions, and themed entertainment. The park has generally limited major third-party character licensing, although it has occasionally hosted licensed characters and attractions. Today, Calaway Park's proposition centres on accessible, all-day family entertainment rather than a single intellectual-property theme. Its core offer consists of amusement rides for different age groups, live entertainment, games, food, seasonal programming, and a campground. The park remains a regional destination associated with Calgary tourism and summer recreation, while its rural setting and long operating history distinguish it from urban attractions such as the Calgary Stampede and Calgary Zoo.

Calaway Park began as a proposed amusement development in 1979. John McAfee, a former lawyer from Red Deer, organized 15 investors from several Canadian provinces to develop the project near Calgary. The original name, Flintstone Fun Park, reflected a licensing agreement with Hanna-Barbera for The Flintstones. The concept combined character-themed attractions with a Victorian-style environment and was intended to generate revenue through admission, food, and merchandise. The development was controversial from the start. Rocky View residents expressed concern about the effect on the rural character of Springbank, traffic on local roads, noise, views, and the possibility that the park would lead to wider commercial development along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor. Municipal approval in October 1979 was challenged, and the Alberta Appeal Court required another hearing. The eventual approval imposed conditions concerning the location of buildings and parking, distances from schools, noise, landscaping, signage, and future expansion. Some residents continued to object, including over the visual impact of a proposed large roller coaster. Construction costs escalated substantially. The project was initially estimated at $8 million but ultimately cost about $25 million, including the Corkscrew roller coaster. During development, the name was changed to Calaway Park, a reference to its location outside Calgary. The park opened in 1982 with 14 attractions, including Flintstones-themed facilities, the Corkscrew, a petting zoo, Cinema 180, and character entertainment. Its all-inclusive admission price was intended to simplify the visitor experience, but the model faced resistance in the Canadian market. The opening also coincided with an economic recession in Calgary and competition from established public and civic attractions. The financial situation deteriorated quickly. In 1983, the park was involved in 17 lawsuits with total claims reported at approximately $1 million. It entered receivership on February 11, 1983, with Touche Ross appointed to continue operations. The recovery plan reduced admission prices, added events and attractions, and authorized about $1.1 million in capital improvements. Management concluded that a narrowly child-oriented Flintstones theme could not support the size and cost of the property, so the business was repositioned as a more general amusement park. The external licence was discontinued, freeing funds for infrastructure and reducing ongoing royalty obligations. After the 1984 season, Touche Ross withdrew as receiver. Northland Bank arranged a transaction in which it acquired the park from the original owners and sold the reorganized operation to Calalta Amusements Ltd. The restructuring rearranged approximately $17 million of debt and enabled the attraction to remain open. AquaRage was introduced for 1985, replacing a log ride that was considered unsuitable for the local climate, and concerts were added to broaden the entertainment offer. By the end of its fourth season, the park had returned to profitability despite a high number of weather-affected days. Northland Bank later failed in 1985, but the park survived that institutional upheaval. The late 1980s and 1990s were marked by gradual operational consolidation and brand-building. Jack Bunny and Jill O'Hare were introduced as mascots in 1988, eventually becoming central to the park's children's programming and season-pass-holder club. Calaway also developed an aggressive discounting strategy. Marketing director Bob Williams became known as “The Coupon King” because of the large volume of coupons distributed through mail and other channels. Discounted admission became an important part of the park's value proposition. In the 2000s, Calaway Park invested in land, rides, refurbishment, and seasonal programming. Five additional acres were developed in 2001. The former Corkscrew was extensively renovated and renamed Vortex in 2005. Other changes included electric bumper boats, renamed and repainted rides, the interactive Twiz & Twirl maze, Chaos, The Storm, children's rides, a redesigned entrance, Free Fallin', Balloon Ascension, Flying Ace, and Samba Spin. Halloweekends added a recurring autumn event that temporarily changes the park's atmosphere and programming. The park also adopted a generally restrained approach to character licensing after the Flintstones period. Older licensed design elements remain visible in some buildings, and the park has occasionally hosted outside characters such as Dora, Diego, and SpongeBob SquarePants. However, its lasting identity is based more on rides, mascots, seasonal events, and regional accessibility than on a single entertainment franchise. Calaway Park continues to operate as a major family attraction serving Calgary, Alberta, and Western Canada, with amusement rides, games, food, entertainment, and camping across its rural property.

• 2011

  Mind Blaster debuts

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  Mind Blaster was introduced for the park's 30th anniversary.

• 2007

  New rides added

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  Free Fallin', The Dream Machine, Balloon Ascension, and Flying Ace were added, while some older attractions were retired or replaced.

• 2006

  25th-anniversary additions

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  The Storm, Swirly Twirl, and a renovated driving attraction were introduced, alongside an entrance renovation.

• 2005

  Major ride and seasonal-program expansion

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  The Corkscrew was transformed into the Vortex, new rides and attractions were added, and Halloweekends was introduced.

• 2001

  Additional park land developed

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  Calaway Park developed five additional acres of its broader property.

• 1988

  Jack Bunny and Jill O'Hare introduced

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  The park introduced its long-running mascot characters, which later became associated with the Jack and Jill Club for young season-pass holders.

• 1985

  Debt restructuring and return to profitability

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  A major restructuring enabled continued operation, while AquaRage and expanded entertainment helped the park achieve profitability by the end of its fourth season.

• 1983

  Receivership

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  Financial difficulties and multiple lawsuits led to receivership, with Touche Ross continuing operations.

• 1982

  Park opens as Calaway Park

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  The attraction opened to the public with 14 attractions, including Flintstones-themed facilities, the Corkscrew roller coaster, a petting zoo, and Cinema 180.

• 1979

  Project conceived as Flintstone Fun Park

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  John McAfee and 15 investors began planning a major amusement park near Calgary, initially using the Flintstone Fun Park name and a Hanna-Barbera licensing concept.

• 1979

  Municipal approval granted

  [1]Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org

  Rocky View municipal councillors approved the development after hearings and a review process, subject to land-use, noise, landscaping, traffic, and expansion conditions.

A regional, family-focused amusement destination offering a broad mix of rides, games, entertainment, food, seasonal events, and camping at accessible pricing, with particular relevance to Calgary and Western Canada.

• Roller coaster · 1982

  Vortex Roller Coaster

  A steel roller coaster originally opened as Corkscrew. It underwent a major refurbishment in 2005, including a new appearance, theme, and name. The ride reaches approximately 70 feet and includes two inversions.

• Thrill ride · 2006

  The Storm: Mother Nature's Thrill Ride

  A major thrill attraction introduced as part of the park's 25th-anniversary investment program. It forms part of Calaway's broader mix of rides aimed at older children, teenagers, and families.

• Thrill ride · 2011

  Mind Blaster

  A thrill attraction introduced for the park's 30th anniversary, extending the ride portfolio beyond the original child-focused and licensed-theme offering.

• Seasonal event · 2005

  Halloweekends

  A recurring Halloween program that transforms parts of the park with haunted settings, themed food, stage shows, and costumed characters over several autumn weekends.

• Hospitality

  Calaway Park campground

  Camping accommodation associated with the amusement park, extending the visitor proposition beyond day trips and supporting the attraction's role as a regional leisure destination.

• 2005Halloweekends

  Alberta

  The park introduced a multi-weekend Halloween transformation featuring haunted attractions, themed food, a stage show, and roaming characters.

  Outcome. The event became a recurring seasonal component of Calaway Park's calendar.

  Source
• 200525th-anniversary ride reinvestment

  Alberta

  The park used anniversary-related investment to refresh the entrance and add or upgrade several rides, helping broaden the attraction's appeal beyond young children.

  Outcome. The program reinforced Calaway Park's positioning as a general family amusement park rather than a single-theme children's attraction.

  Source
• Coupon marketing program

  Calgary · Alberta

  Calaway Park developed a large-scale coupon and direct-mail program to reduce the effective admission price and encourage attendance. The approach became closely associated with marketing director Bob Williams, who was known as “The Coupon King.”

  Outcome. Discounted admission became a defining part of the park's value proposition, with the park reporting that a substantial majority of admissions were made using discounts.

  Source

• 2005

  Corkscrew refurbished and renamed VortexGeneration change

  Background

  The park sought to refresh a signature attraction and continue investing in rides after moving away from its original licensed theme.

  Action taken

  The roller coaster received a major transformation, including a new paint scheme, theme, and name.

  Aftermath

  Vortex became part of the park's modern ride lineup.

  Source

• 2005

  Introduction of HalloweekendsProduct launch

  Background

  Calaway Park wanted to extend its seasonal relevance beyond the standard summer operating period.

  Action taken

  The park created a five-weekend Halloween program with themed attractions, entertainment, food, and characters.

  Aftermath

  Halloweekends became a recurring seasonal event.

  Source

• 1984

  Ownership and debt restructuringM&A

  Background

  After receivership and continuing financial difficulties, the park required a structure that could support ongoing operations.

  Action taken

  Northland Bank acquired the park and transferred the reorganized operation to Calalta Amusements Ltd. under revised terms.

  Aftermath

  The park remained open for the 1985 season and returned to profitability by the end of its fourth season.

  Debt rearranged. $17 million (1984-1985 off-season)

  Source

• 1983

  Reposition from licensed theme park to general amusement parkStrategy

  Background

  The original Flintstones-oriented concept was too narrow for the size and cost of the facility, while the business was under financial pressure.

  Action taken

  Management reduced admission prices, introduced new rides and events, pursued capital improvements, and moved away from the Flintstones licence.

  Aftermath

  The park developed a broader family-amusement identity and redirected resources toward tangible site and ride improvements.

  Capital expansion. $1.1 million planned program (1983)

  Source

1. 1Calaway Parken.wikipedia.org
2. 2Calaway Park official websitecalawaypark.com