New exhibit opening comes as Heritage Park faces financial worries
Posted Sep 20, 2018 3:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A new exhibit is opening at Heritage Park at the same time the organization is asking the City of Calgary for more money because the drop in revenue expected to be around $1.3 million this year.
Ward 11 Coun. Jeromy Farkas blames a combination of things that led to what he calls a “perfect storm” on the money issues the park is facing.
Farkas said that with something as integral to Calgary like Heritage Park needing funds, he believes council is going to have to make some tough decisions.
“I question how city hall can justify millions and perhaps billions on feel-good projects like the Olympics, which don’t really speak as much to where we have been and where we could go in the future. Everyone likes a party but I at times have to question our priorities,” Farkas said.
The opening of the Colonist Rail Cart comes ahead of this weekend’s Railway Days.
Dave Rodych, chairman of the Heritage Park Board, said that he hopes combining this event with reduced admission will increase attendance.
“We are currently looking at every element of our offering right now, and trying to ensure that we give the public the best chance to come and enjoy the park, overcoming some of the obstacles we have faced over the past year. Price isn’t always everything, but certainly it does entice people to think about it in their budget for sure,” Rodych said.
This marks the first time in the park’s 54-year history it could be posting a deficit.
