Some Calgary attractions that experienced a surprising boost in visitors this year hope for a big finish to summer.
Both the Stampede and Globalfest saw significant drops in attendance because of brutal weather and a struggling economy. But numbers and Heritage Park and Telus Spark are holding strong, and the Calgary Zoo has sold 5,000 more annual passes than last year.
“We’re well above historical averages, and we feel like that’s probably the result of Calgarians and Albertans choosing to stay at home this year and have a staycation,” Larissa Mark, zoo spokesperson, said.
The zoo is getting ready to open its second annual Illuminasia Lantern and Garden Festival, which runs from Sept. 8 through Oct. 16.
Between that event and the Zoolights over the holiday season, officials expect attendance for the year to finish ahead of average.
Attendance at Heritage Park is down this summer because of record rain in July, but up two per cent overall.
The park has been struggling to fill corporate party bookings, because of cost-cutting in the energy industry. Officials said there were concerns about the need for possible layoffs, but the park has found savings in other ways.
“We’ve been making sure that the lights are off and making sure that we’re not overspending,” Barb Munro said. “But we’re getting through and we’re so grateful for the support that we do have.”
At the Telus Spark science centre, attendance is on par with 2015, even without a spike in attendance the attraction experienced last year thanks to excitement over new outdoor attractions. In fact, the wet weather earlier in the summer actually brought more people through the door.
“We do attract sort of the poor weather crowds here, and those are usually our highest attended days – but we have seen a pretty good showing here on the nicer days as well,” Jolee Coulter, manager of daily programs at Telus Spark, said.
Outside of the city, Calaway Park is having a banner year to celebrate its 35th anniversary.
Officials said despite some disruptive weather, attendance has been up in June, July and August.