Calgary’s Heritage Park appoints Lindsey Galloway as its new President and CEO

The Heritage Park Society has appointed Mr. Lindsey Galloway as its new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Heritage Park Historical Village in Calgary, Alberta.

Mr. Galloway is a former journalist. After working at Calgary Zoo for 7 years, he has led Edmonton Valley Zoo for the past 18 months, where he served as the company’s Senior Director of Services and Guest Experience. He has also worked for Calgary Stampede.

He will assume office from Monday (Sept 28), where he will be responsible for Heritage Park’s operations, development, execution, services, marketing, stakeholder relations, revenue stream and leadership team.

Mr. Galloway said in his statement, “I am honored to be joining one of Calgary’s most beloved tourist and family destinations.”

“Heritage Park has always been a place where our interpretation of the past helps define our aspirations for the future. I look forward to helping the Park continue as a trusted voice in the important discussion about the evolving identity and future of our community,” he added.

Margriet Kiel, Heritage Park Society board chair, is very excited to see the developments and changes that Mr. Galloway will bring to the park amid the COVID-19 pandemic and with the challenges that come with it.

“Mr. Galloway’s background in advocating for and elevating two of Calgary’s most iconic not-for-profit organizations, coupled with his proven leadership and communications skills in the business and tourism sectors, make him the perfect candidate to take the helm at Heritage Park and lead the park during and post current unprecedented and challenging times,” Kiel mentioned in a statement.

Heritage Park Society has been looking for a replacement for Alida Visbach. She completed 14 years of service last year and retired from the position of President and CEO of the park.

The Heritage Park Historical Village is a historical park located in Calgary on 127 acres of green space on both sides of the Glenmore Reservoir. It is the second largest living history museum in Canada and one of the most visited tourist attractions.

However, since the opening of the park in the 1960, Heritage Park’s visitor arrivals (decreased by 22%) and pass sales (decreased by 26%) have both declined significantly in 2018, with the first deficit-about $1.2 million. Economic conditions, an increase in the minimum wage, carbon taxes and the docking of the S.S. Moyie paddle steamer due to the low water level in the Glenmore Reservoir were all cited as factors.

After the rebound in 2019, the Heritage Park was closed in March and has been closed throughout the spring, following the guidelines issued by the government to curb the spread of infection. Later, the park reopened to visitors in late June, but visitors cannot enjoy S.S. Moyie, wagon rides and midway attractions due to timed tickets and social distancing measures in place.