Park prospers under community ownership

By Carolyn Sloan

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Revenues and sales are up, new attractions are being added, and over $570,000 has been put into capital assets. It’s a picture Hanse Society chair David Brown would never have envisioned just a few years ago, when Upper Clements Park was in such a deep hole, he explains, that there seemed to be no way out.

At the Hanse Society’s annual general meeting on April 17, Brown commended the work of general manager Gregg Gaul and his staff, who, over the last couple years, have rejuvenated the operation. While it may have been the first year that the Hanse Society has owned as well as operated the park, the attraction continues to expand its offerings and build partnerships within the community, while also decreasing its debts.

“We’ve had a very good year,” said Brown. “The board is, and has been, totally committed that this place is run as a business.”

Having assumed ownership of the attraction, the Hanse Society has also taken over services inside the park, from food and beverage sales to merchandising. Other highlights of 2007 include the launch of a new, professionally developed website, the introduction of Park After Dark concerts, the purchase of a laser tag system, the addition of green space to the park, and the growing success of e-ticketing in conjunction with the creation of an online store.

In 2008, the park will be offering two new admissions options, including the Premium Laser Pass, which provides unlimited laser tag all day long, and the Premium Season Pass, which comes with special discounts and deals throughout the summer.

As for attractions, a haunted house will be added this year. Opening on June 28, the new feature will be located in the stone house, and will involve live actors and interactive displays. A fun zone for kids is also on the list of new projects, as well as continued improvements to signage, decks, and walkways.

With success of the three Park After Dark concerts last year, there are plans to extend the evening concert series from to seven events in 2008. Held rain or shine, the series will run every Saturday evening beginning July 13 and ending on August 23, and will feature musical entertainment including Joe Murphy and the Water Street Blues Band, the Mat Minglewood Band, Focus, and SQUID.

Special events for the coming season include a Support the Troops weekend, when members of the Canadian Armed Forces are given free entrance, Word in the Park, where students who read over the summer are rewarded with free passes, the Special Olympics Day, and the Children’s Wish Foundation Wish’Nic.