Should I buy a pass to Telus Spark?

[woob]

$70 bucks for a family of 4 is very steep (heard this on the Eye Opener on CBC). Does the zoo charge for parking? If so, what's the cost? I haven't been there in ages so I don't remember.

[troutman]

Klaszus: Sparks flying at new Telus science centre



http://www.calgaryherald.com/technol...#ixzz1cN2VZAbP

The membership fees at Telus Spark are beyond exorbitant, signalling a sharp change in direction for an organization that until recently provided affordable science education for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Most Canadian science centres offer an annual pass that costs a family with up to four kids less than $150.

Regina's is $75, Toronto's is $120, Edmonton's is $135 and Vancouver's is $140.

The quality and size of the facilities obviously vary, but they share affordability in common. The same used to be true of Calgary's science centre; two years ago, a basic family pass was $130.

No longer. Even though daily admission rates are comparable to similar facilities, a two-parent, fourkid family now pays $288, at minimum, for annual passes at Telus Spark. If the kids are 13 or older, the price jumps above $300. That's just for base-level access (doesn't include parking and dome shows). Upgrade to gold memberships, and said family is looking at upward of $460 per year.

#TelusSpark

[troutman]

Admission to the science centre will cost adults, $19.95; seniors, $17.95; youths, $15.95, child, $12.95. What do you think?


Excessive. I won't go 52.2% (1,639 votes)

Gives me pause, but I'll visit at least once 41.18% (1,293 votes)

It's worth the price 6.62% (208 votes)

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Telus+s...#ixzz1cNl72vz3

[troutman]

People for an Affordable Calgary Science Centre

https://www.facebook.com/PeopleForAn...yScienceCentre

Let's make science education, experience, and enrichment affordable for all.

[photon]

I think it's kind of high as well, though if it means a better science center I'm willing to pay.. my kid loves science centers so we've been to ones all over the place, and the Calgary one was pretty poor.

But I always find petitions like that amusing.. they're kind of assuming that the high price is due to greed aren't they? I would think the cost to build the thing might have something to do with it, in which case they're just asking them to take money out of operational expenses and make it crappier overall.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by photon

I think it's kind of high as well, though if it means a better science center I'm willing to pay.. my kid loves science centers so we've been to ones all over the place, and the Calgary one was pretty poor.

But I always find petitions like that amusing.. they're kind of assuming that the high price is due to greed aren't they? I would think the cost to build the thing might have something to do with it, in which case they're just asking them to take money out of operational expenses and make it crappier overall.

Ticket revenues cover only about half the money it takes to operate the new facility, said Telus Spark CEO Jennifer Martin.

“When you look at the cost of any major outing, it’s an investment. We try to make sure the value is there.”

Martin said she understands that not all families can afford to visit the science centre, which is why partnerships with the private sector are so important to offset costs.

“I’m quite confident that we can put tickets in the hands of people who otherwise might not be able to come,” she said.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/Telus+science+centre+opens+with+grand+ceremony+con cerns+over+admission+costs+What+think/5628852/story.html#ixzz1cNnWuzcS

The cost is not a big issue for me. We tend to go all the time, and get good value for the membership. Compared to a day skiing for a family, it is nothing.

The facility has the potential to be outstanding.

[Arsenal14]

Seems pretty excessive to me. Last month I was in San Francisco and visited the Exploratorium science museum there which is really a world class facility. They charge $15 for an adult. $90 for a family pass for a year. I have a hard time believing that the one in Calgary would be good enough to justify the price.

[troutman]

The San Francisco center is fantastic. Something we could aim for.

I have seen it suggested that you could buy a membership at another science center (cheaper) and use it to get in Telus Spark?

[SuperMatt18]

Comparison Time

Calgary Zoo Day Passes

General Admission (16 - 59) $21
Senior (60+) $19
Child (3 - 15) $13
Infant (2 & under) Free

Zoo Season Passes
Infant (2 and under): FREE
Child (3-15): Gate Pass-$22 Engage- $32 Inspire-$72
Adult (16-59): Gate Pass- $55 Engage-$75 Inspire-$115
Student/Senior (60+): Gate Pass-$50 Engage-$65 Inspire-$105

TELUS Spark Day Passes

Individual Rates
Adult $19.95
Senior $17.95
Youth $15.95
Child $12.95

Telus Spark Season Passes
Children under 3 are FREE
CHILD (age 3 - 12) Green-$42 Gold-$70
YOUTH (age 13 - 17) Green-$48 Gold-$80
ADULT (age 18 - 64) Green-$60 Gold-$90
SENIOR (age 65+) Green-$54 Gold-$85


Calgary Zoo
Day for a family of 4: $68
Seasons Pass Gate Pass:$155
Seasons Pass (Engage): $214
Seasons Pass (Inspire): $374

Telus Spark
Day for a family of 4: $68.90
Seasons Pass (Green): $210
Seasons Pass (Gold): $330


Looks like people are making a big deal about nothing to me. Prices are extremely comparable to the Calgary Zoo for both the seasons passes and daily rates.

They are both places where you can spend an entire afternoon with your family and you are going to spend around $70 if you go once or $300 if you buy a seasons pass.

I haven't been yet but you also probably get a little different experience at the Science Center as you then have all the workers who will be walking you through and explaining all the exhibits to you.

Lets see what happens when the new Zoo areas are built for next year and the price inevitably goes up again due to those costs.

[para transit fellow]

Telus Spark seems to be on par with admission prices of Ontario science centre
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/p...ult.asp#prices

Trouble is... folks want less government funding but aren't happy with the prices at the door. Plus, operational funding is the hardest thing to fundraise for.

[Redliner]

I know these things are expensive to build and operate, but $85 plus Parking for my family of 5 is ridiculous. I don't think there is anything at Spark that would warrant repeated visits, and definitely not enough to spring for the $400 it would cost me for a family pass. It is a very nice facility but the cost is almost prohibitive. We won't be going back.

[sclitheroe]

Originally Posted by para transit fellow

Telus Spark seems to be on par with admission prices of Ontario science centre
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/p...ult.asp#prices

Trouble is... folks want less government funding but aren't happy with the prices at the door. Plus, operational funding is the hardest thing to fundraise for.

Yeah, for 1/5th the number of exhibits... If you're going to call them equal value, you'll have to call the ROM's $15 admission equal value to the Glenbow's $14.

They aren't.

Pricing for Spark is atrocious.

[Slava]

Comparing the zoo to the science center seems like apples and oranges? I haven't been to the science center yet, but you can easily spend a full day at the zoo going through exhibits. There is a lot to see there. Are there as many exhibits at the science center? In the old building I would say the zoo was a way better value.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Slava

Comparing the zoo to the science center seems like apples and oranges? I haven't been to the science center yet, but you can easily spend a full day at the zoo going through exhibits. There is a lot to see there. Are there as many exhibits at the science center? In the old building I would say the zoo was a way better value.

We easily spend as much time at the science center as we do at the zoo. Moreso, when the theater is ready. We only scratched the surface in two hours last Sunday, and they had to kick us out. The boys were engaged, and wanted to stay. They want to go back this weekend.

I think Spark right now, will be more entertaining for children. Lots of hands-on activities, but it is all short-attention span stuff. I look forward to more interesting exhibits for adults.

Lift tickets at Sunshine (not including travel and meals):

Adult (18 years+) $79.95
Senior (65 years+) $63.00
Child (6-12) $29.95
Youth (13-17) $59.95
Adult Afternoon Ticket (12 p.m.) $63.00
Family of 4 = $219.80


Flames Tickets (Whites; not including parking, refreshments):

$92.44 X 4 = $369.76

http://flames.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=40762


Green Fees:

http://www.calgarygreenfees.com/

Vinyl Cafe Christmas:

$40 - $65 per ticket.

It is interesting what people will pay for entertainment.

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by troutman

People for an Affordable Calgary Science Centre

https://www.facebook.com/PeopleForAn...yScienceCentre

Let's make science education, experience, and enrichment affordable for all.

Meh, we don't need poor kids becoming scientists...
How will they pay their loans back.
They can go play at Bowness park or something.

[zuluking]

Originally Posted by troutman

People for an Affordable Calgary Science Centre

https://www.facebook.com/PeopleForAn...yScienceCentre

Let's make science education, experience, and enrichment affordable for all.

Occupy Spark - to fight for extracurricular science education redistribution. Camping in the parking lot?

[para transit fellow]

Anyone remember when the Tyrell museum was free admission?