Calaway Park

Calaway Park is Western Canada's largest outdoor family amusement park. The park is located 10 km west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway, in the Municipal District of Rocky View.

The park features a variety of rides including a large log flume, the ride "Chaos", "Storm", and two of the park's biggest attraction: its corkscrew roller coaster "The Vortex" and the "Dream Machine", a 56 passenger swing ride. There are many other rides that are original to the park and not seen anywhere else.

Calaway Park is a popular spot for families living in the city for it is only a short commute out. Widely distributed discount coupons also make it easily affordable too. The park has been developing new property and undergoing a variety of changes. Calaway Park currently has 33 rides, 22 new food stalls, 27 new games and expanded to 90 acres. The Park is 27 years old in 2008.

History

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, but colourful Flintstones-style buildings. Licensing was dropped and instead money that would have been spent was reinvested back into the grounds.

In the late 80's, Calaway Park introduced its two mascots Jack Bunny and Jill O' Hare who can now be seen roaming the streets of the Park. 2005 was the Jack and Jill Club's 10th Birthday. The Jack and Jill Club is a club that any season pass holder who is aged 3-12 can join.

In 2001, the park bought five new acres of land which are slowly being expanded on.

2005 was a year of changes for Calaway Park. The Corkscrew Roller Coaster as it was formerly known went a major transformation including a brand new paint scheme, new theme and a brand new name." The Vortex Roller Coaster". The park's famous gas powered bumper boats were taken out of service in 2005 and newer environment-friendly electric powered boats featuring water squirt guns were introduced. "The BumperBoat Splash Challenge!". Two thrill rides were also repainted and renamed. The "Mountain Scrambler" became "Adrenaline Test Zone" and the family thrill ride: "SkyRider" became the "Wave Rider".

Other renovations included the expansion of the Mini Golf Course, renovation of Mini Donuts #1 (now known as "Hole in one Mini Donuts"), and a new concession stall, "JavaSplash".

In 2005, Calaway Park put the family ride "Swing Around", a large chair swing out of service and in its place now stands the newest thrill at Calaway Park, "The STORM".
2005 was also the introduction of Halloweekends, a spooky five weekend event. During this time, the park undergoes a haunted transformation, including an updated Haunted House, Freaky Food, a new Spooktacular Stage Show, and many characters roaming the streets of the park.

In 2006, Calaway Park celebrated the park's 25th Anniversary with the introduction of its new family thrill ride, "The Storm: Mother Nature's Thrill Ride". Other celebrations included "Swirly Twirl", the new children's swing ride, and the renovation of the Turnpike, now "U-Drive: Safety School Of Motoring".

2007 was a big year for Calaway Park. A great deal of changes, new rides, scenery improvements and new marketing strategies were a hit for this season. 4 new rides were built; The Dream Machine, Free Fallin', Balloon Ascension, and Flying Ace. The park also underwent a new expansion were 3 of the 4 new rides now reside. The 4th ride, Free Fallin' took over the location of "Topsy Turvy" which was removed from the park in 2007. At the end of the 2007 season, Calaway Park retired the famous family ride, "Tip Top".

The new ride for 2008 is a family ride called The Samba Spin.

Rides and attractions

Calaway Park has several attractions for suitable for all ages. From soft playgrounds to giant thrill rides. The park is amongst North America's safest amusement parks. (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.

Children Rides

*"Ball Crawl" - ball pit where kids under 54" can play in
*"Freddie Fireboat" - soft playground
*"Theodore Tugboat" - soft playground
*"Biplanes: Stunt School " - ride consisting of biplanes being raised and lowered as the ride spins
*"Boulder Bumper Cars" - children bumper cars
*"Tot Yachts" - revolving boat ride
*"Free Wheelin' " - rotating car/bike ride
*"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 rollercoaster 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 boats 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.

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)
*"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 Ride) - 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)
*"Wave Rider" - ride consisting of fourteen arms with one car on each arm. The arms pop you up and swing you out
*"Vortex" - Corkscrew rollercoaster ride with twisty turns and an upside down thrill
*"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.

Employment

Each year, Calaway park hires an approximate 700 to 750 summer employees in every position except management. However, the number of applicants is rising, the most recent being an approximate 1,000 people (2005 approximation). Specific jobs are given based on age and the choice of the employee. For example, most employees who are hired at the age of 14 are put into groundskeeping. Like any business there are several people who either quit or are fired throughout the summer, and thus Calaway park hires new employees throughout the season. Calaway park also supports school programs that allow students to earn Senior-high-school credits for filling out forms or completing certain assignments throughout the year.

Payscales are determined by position, and there are several opportunities throughout the season for raises and/or promotions. Employees are also hired on a basis of their apparent personality, leading to a summer job wherein most, if not all, employees are friendly and responsible.

External links

* [http://www.calawaypark.com/ Calaway Park website]
* [http://rcdb.com/pd80.htm Calaway Park] at the Roller Coaster DataBase
* [http://www.funworldmagazine.com/2003/Nov03/Features/Reviving_Calaway/Reviving_Calaway.html Fun World Magazine: Reviving Calaway]