What Happened to the Whitemud Drive Amusement Park? - Best Edmonton Mall

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The Whitemud Drive Amusement Park first opened in 1985, and was Edmonton's go-to destination for Go-Karting in the city. Despite its "rough around the edges" existence, it was a beloved destination for speed seekers and baseball nuts... and fans of outdoor entertainment. But, what happened to it?
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[@hotboxrox]

Man I miss this place. Even just driving down the mud and passing where it was makes me sad.

[@dlantomas8227]

I still have a "ONE FREE MINI GOLF GAME" card from WDAP. Authorized by none other than, Amber.

[@THRILLHOUSEV]

I really liked this place for the laid back summertime atmosphere. It also didn't hurt that it was way cheaper than the other amusement park and kart places.

[@brianholm1404]

In 1986, my dad took my brother and me there one day after school. We lived in Sherwood Park and he worked at Labatts so he drove past it every day on his way home. One day we got home and he told us to drop our bags and get in the car. We were SO happy to see this cool place that my dad knew about, and couldn't believe how lucky we were to go. All three of us got some kind of weird oil on our pants from the go-carts and my mom was pissed off because we couldn't get it out. So all three of us had ruined our pants AND we didn't have our homework done. We never got to go back.

[@steveb4902]

I worked here for 10 years. They paid minimum wage, had to work open to close 6 days a week, but it was the funnest job I ever had. Loved everyone I worked with too.

[@Decade8Media]

Excellent production, Matt. You made me feel Nostalgia for a place I never experienced.

[@lindsay1065]

can second this!

[@LakeNipissing]

@@lindsay1065 What it makes me think of are the number of similar places I have been to in the 1970s and 1980s (and even 1990s) which are gone forever... go-kart tracks, bumper boats, alpine slides and small waterparks were a big hit in the late 1970s through the 1980s, and a lot disappeared due to real estate development, insurance rates and an era of litigation.

[@nicolejackson7134]

Wild rapids? Oh the old days.

[@lindsay1065]

@@LakeNipissing AND safety regulations....

[@jaredidler9378]

Place was a blast, I remember when I finally got my class 5 and could take the biggest go cart. Fond memories with my Aunt here.

[@rnrtruestories]

oh man, i miss this place. The batting cages, go-carts, used to go there all the time. Was bummed out when it got impacted by the LRT.

[@Suicaedere666]

You from Etown! Small world haha, you rock dude

[@sslssg247]

Wow. I totally missed that you put this one out. I worked there the summer of 1992. It was such a fun job. Although in 1992, girls were only allowed to work in the concession. I mean as a teen girl it was great as there were 6 girls who worked there and 27 guys. Then I worked at the Millwood's Drive-In the next summer, which ended up being the last summer for that drive-in. It's sad that none of the places where I worked as a teenager still exist.

[@fitzygerald]

I grew up near the park and this hits way closer to home than a lot of the Mall content for me. Great video and thanks for the nostalgia tour! Also, there was a Leprechaun cabinet in the arcade that was there for at least a few years in the 2000s but looked a lot older.

[@lindaroblin8579]

I had visited this park for the first time in 2008 and didn't know it exsited for such a long time. Thought it would be around forever. Sadly no😢 I miss it so much, am wishing I could take my daughter there. Thank you for the nostalgic video❤

[@Michael_Billig]

Omg the nostalgia is unreal with this one!!

[@LakeNipissing]

It's like Edmonton's mini version of Action Park ! the interview with Amber reminds me of interviews with former Action Park employees of the 1980s and 1990s describing all of the defects of the equipment and facility, yet everyone would have a great time... getting hurt. Thanks for sharing this place with us... another one lost.

[@ScooterinAB]

lol. I was thinking that as well. Did the attraction really close because of the LRT expansion, or did it close because you kind of can't operate these places anymore.

[@lukecraggs8640]

THANK YOU! I had completely forgotten about this place but it was a big part of my late teens and early 20s in the 1990s. I really appreciated Amber sharing her memories of working there. Say, whatever happened to Wild Waters? That water slide park on Stony Plain Road near where the Henday is now?

[@jamthefed]

Gotta do Wild Waters next

[@winterwillow77]

Does anyone remember the outdoor water park that was in NW Edmonton? I believe they had 4 slides. I know they were still open in the late 80s / early 90s.

[@jacksabbath2007]

Wild rapids I think the name was, on Winterburn rd just off the Yellowhead

[@MeowKat20]

The sign is still up on winterburn road I think

[@TheAngryCanadian1109]

I went there it was called wild waters apparently AHS shut them down

[@billy7805]

They moved them slides out to a camp ground by entwhistle

[@Turvok]

Wild waters.. And it wasn't heated. So was cold af often. Yes AHS shut them down. I miss the dive tank at Fred brodstock pool in west end..

[@alainarobson7048]

As a child I loved this park! My dad would take my sister and I there a few times during the summer and we loved mini golf, the ferris wheel, and of course the go karts! The first time I was old enough that he decided I could do a round in the batting cages' higher speeds was a real treat. I do remember getting the gas and brake confused on the go karts and blowing through the tire barrier onto the grass... The guy came running out to help, I'd slowed at this point which was good because he approached directly in front of me and got knocked down. He was okay, I was mortified. He still let me finish loop.

[@YegJacque]

This video just reminds me how unlucky this city has been. This amazing place closed and the transit line is very over budget and late... Thank you for the reminder of some memories!

[@dustinwatkins7843]

I'd bet they cut the line through it on purpose to run a smaller yet relatively successful competitor to larger vested interests out of business. typical elitist stuff.

[@Mondoblasto0]

I remember the general warning for the go-kart track to "NOT REV THE ENGINE." haha

[@ScooterinAB]

This is another one of those things I never heard about, despite growing up very near the city. My parents hated driving anywhere in Edmonton, so the furthest we would go into the city was maybe Westmount. We basically never crossed the river and never went to the southside. So weird that this operated almost my entire life, yet I never once heard about it.

[@jeffreyonline]

nicely done. i finally get to see the place I drove past hundreds of times as a kid/teenager/adult when I lived in mill woods and had always wondered about.

[@Psilocybin77]

I lived in millwoods, and we'd spend a lot of summer Friday nights here. I have a very specific memory of driving the go karts, flying over the boundary tires over the grass and back onto the track!!! Also, very happy I didn't get dysentary from the bumper boat water.

[@YEGLIVEMETAL]

This brought back a lot of good memories. I was definitely there more towards the end as I’m only 30 myself. But the days I spent there in my late teens and 20’s will not be forgotten

[@zoidbergmaybe]

Loved this park! Went a couple times when i was like under 10 years old. Love the videos! I saw you on Global TV the other day and said to my dad “Hey, I watch that guy’s videos!”

[@d6u4]

I had so many good memories here. I remember when I got my license, I wasn't so much excited to drive a car, but to drive the fastest carts. Good times.

[@Inlinetodie]

I hope you do Sportsworld, that's where we all learned to rollerskate In Edmonton Alberta In the 80s

[@trevwheeler8986]

It was a great place to go with the kids, just busy enough without long lines, my kids loved it too, and it was affordable. Every time I drive by there I miss it.

[@abdolhakwik5255]

The Bullits were the best! I remember before I was able to ride the bullits the guys that worked there would tweak the go karts for me. But nothing like the bullits. This video was very nostalgic. Such good memories there. Stuiped LRT station took over the fun. I had soo many good memories there 🥺😔🥺

[@melissaburnett6327]

Great video, thank you for taking me down memory lane. Not many people believe their was once a horse stable on 50th street. Whitemud Equine Center.

[@williamharris8367]

I lived in Edmonton between 1998 and 2009, and I literally never heard of this establishment before. I was completely unaware of its existence -- which is sad because I do like go carts.

[@squirrelboss7067]

I’ve lived here for 17 years and I’ve never heard of it. It was so pretty! I wish they’d bring it back!

[@brendahall5928]

yes drove the carts, the kids always wanted to drive with me, I went fast, the whole family including my parents would mini golf with grandson, loved this place and thank you for mentioning Heritage Mall

[@chrissmith513]

We use to go by thier all the time and my friends just loved the batting cages !!! I'm sad to see it gone ! 😢

[@ConorHil]

This was an amazing place. I still remember us going for my older brothers birthday party when I was young and the year before I was too short to ride the carts and this year I was also slightly too short so we put makeshift shims into my shoes to get me the extra inch or two I needed to get to drive around. We would usually go a couple times a year thanks to those giant coupon packs they always sold in schools, otherwise we couldn't afford it. Truly a shame it's no longer around

[@silvermoonmusic0210]

I drove the carts, did the bumper boats, and used the batting cages one my visit there in the 2000's.

[@ItsukiHatakai]

I never had the chance to go here as a kid, but had always been curious about what it had. Thank you for showcasing this park in your videos. :)

[@franklinb81]

This was so close to work, was a nice place for mini-golf and go-carts

[@laurenkimberly3937]

I totally forgot about this place until you posted this and i literally grew up here, I lived just down the road. Thanks so much for the nostalgia

[@MILE30Adventures]

Great storytelling Matt. Lots of memories!

[@terryhadley6898]

I worked there for quite a few years . I was always hidden in the garage ..lol It was an awesome place to work remember amber really well the day she got her tattoo was a memorable day

[@user-ut9ln4vd5m]

Sounds like almost all the maintenance work was keeping all the engines running

[@terryhadley6898]

@@user-ut9ln4vd5m yep it was mostly motors and tires best part was you have to test drive the carts to check if they were fixed .. lol

[@desiree5416]

Man I remember that place... Dad would take my older brother and me, mainly for the go-carts, but I think we tried the other stuff too. We always had a blast. Nostalgia...

[@naderzein2435]

Man I miss this place. Also any word on Virtual Land? Last I saw they were closed, would be very sad if they closed permanently.

[@BestEdmontonMall]

They should reopen sometime soon... from what I've been told.

[@Suicaedere666]

Wicked video man! Super great memories haha, miss that place so much!

[@Drye_2005]

It’s been a while since I watched this channel and I already love the new intro.

[@Johnboy2k7]

Nice. Maybe do wild waters next?

[@owellafehr5191]

I remember that! We lived on the south side and would often drive by it, though the only time I ever went was to play mini-golf as part of an end-of-the-school-year grade 3 field trip. I haven't lived full-time in Edmonton for quite some time so I had no idea whatever happened to it. By the way, have you ever considered doing a video on Kidtropolis or that dinosaur attraction that was in WEM somewhere around 2006-2010 (I'm very shaky on the dates, sorry, but I remember it was a big room with fake greenery, big dinosaur models or possibly animatronics, and one of those sand pits where you could dig for fossils. I think it was in phase 2 near Galaxyland ... around the same area where guest services is now)

[@TheBlake27]

Well done man! I only ever went there one time, had hoped to go more but then it closed

[@STGGamings]

It was fun working there for 2 years just before she closed. Amazing video!!! She wasn't wrong about those darn boat lining!

[@yasihiko]

Love the new intro! Got an MCU vibe to it.

[@Inlinetodie]

Our family lived in Millwoods, we got to go to this Amusement park every year when it opened, so many good times

[@KeepAwayFromMee]

You know, i really enjoyed your history of the LRT in this, and the history of the area where commonwelth stadium is in the royal bathroom video. Would you ever conider exploring some of the other more general history of edmonton?

[@cmptar]

Missing your uploads man. Hope everything is still kicking! Look forward to your next video.

[@jhaskins]

Wow, I never knew about this park. Also your subtitles were excellent!

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Thank you! I always try to make sure they're accurate! I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@awildcolinappears]

Anyone else remember the go karts that used to be on 137ave and St.Albert Trail back in the 90s?

[@albertastorms]

I wonder if some crowdfunding could build up enough funds to build a new amusement park maybe near the Anthony Henday somewhere? Maybe expand it over time to include rollercoasters and an outdoor waterpark. Eventually include a winter season park for the offseason that includes ski and sled slopes, outdoor rink, festivities. Etc then in summer close the winter side and open the summer side!

[@ScooterinAB]

Interesting idea, but I don't think there's any land for it. West and south of the Henday is all developed. North is St Albert and the CFB base, east is Sherwood Park. For something this small, it'd be easier to do, but it could basically only be east of Millwoods. Everything that close to the city though is probably being developed already though. Sigh. We're not allowed to have cool stuff anymore.

[@LiveXfreak]

Awesome learning about Edmonton's past :) 🤘

[@carlos230893]

Man I miss this place. I always said that I wanted to go to the batting cages when I get older and try the fastest speed :(

[@BADFam-io3et]

So awesome....made us re live this place...thanks matt

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Aw! I'm very happy to hear that B.A.D. Fam!!

[@le_drew]

Love the videos! Have you ever considered doing one trying out the wem surf club in the waterpark? I just signed up and was looking for some videos on youtube but couldn’t find much. Keep up the good work!! :)

[@sdrawkcab190]

There was an outdoor go kart + minigolf in the NW where the Cineplex is now on St.Albert Trail + 137th Ave.

[@newageretro]

I love, love, loved that place. It was only a couple years older than me so it was the coolest place for a birthday when you couldn't afford WEM. Even as adults our group still went once a summer. My last visit there funny enough was with with my boss, we were heading back downtown after a meeting in Millwoods and he just pulled in and treated me to mini-golf and the batting cages on a sunny Friday afternoon because "It's too nice of a day to be working"

[@koishhh6633]

I went there once, I don't really remember a lot but I do remember not being able to ride the go-karts because I was too young lol.

[@zemnous2847]

Would be super interesting to see one of these for red’s since that was my wild childhood place to go to at west Ed mall

[@dougwalker9286]

Loved going to the batting cages in the early 90’s

[@trupower22]

I used to live in millwoods, about 5 minutes away. Used to drive by all the time - I was never old enough to drive the fastest carts though.

[@stickynorth]

I never got to visit before it was demo'd but at least this video will keep it alive forever! Plus, we got a really cool LRT project out of it so it's not all bad...

[@Inlinetodie]

My cousin, would stand on the back of the bumper boat, while I drove around.

[@hsuds1908]

Have you ever done a video about the winterburn water slides?

[@burtbakerack1110]

Had many a mini-golf dates here. Good memories.

[@reality8605]

Could you do a piece on The WEM underground. Even if you have to go undercover.

[@Auditioneere]

I grew up in Edmonton and literally never heard of this place. Lol

[@eyecandiiz]

Can you do an episode of the waterslides? Wild rapids i think?

[@rbgamergirl2858]

I have a idea for a video. It isnt a part of west Edmonton mall but I miss the old theme of storyland valley zoo here in Edmonton and i was wondering if you would do a video on what happened to it and all of the cool aspects of it

[@Driver67]

I’m sure going to miss this place. It had a certain appeal

[@richardneil3030]

i used to take my daughter there . we both had a good time . too bad its gone

[@EverydayJ1786]

Anyone remember the gokart track at the corner of 137ave and st.albert trail ? ... Where Christie's corner is now

[@PhallicDivinity]

This made me super nostalgic 😭 How do you find your interviewees?

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Essentially I walk into the room and say "Hey, I'm looking for someone who worked at _________, anyone know anyone?" You'd be surprised how often that works!

[@kellyrobinson8157]

The lrt extension wasn’t what stopped the expansion the city had a snow dump area right behind it and wouldn’t sell the property. The fence behind it was built by the city this is what I was told by my brother and other employees

[@VforValdes]

Kelly that's exactly what I remember too, and I worked there back around 2004.

[@wolfaliceinchains]

Never went but I remember going past it a lot as a child

[@lordcodicus]

Damn, this is how I find out it got torn down? RIP to all the childhood memories, I was hoping to come back some day and go-kart one last time.... Don't tell me they ripped down that giant indoor golfing range dome just down the road from the amusement part....

[@BestEdmontonMall]

Ok, I won't tell you but.... 😬

[@lordcodicus]

@@BestEdmontonMall Damn... When did that get torn down? Do you remember what it was named? Fuel for the next video I guess...

[@BestEdmontonMall]

@@lordcodicus The Golf Dome and sorry, I don't remember at the moment!

[@codylabelle1705]

Great intro

[@cohengamertv6548]

Ahhhhh, the canadian acition park

[@kellyrobinson8157]

I have great. Memories of it my brother worked there for four years so I got to do everything for free. Those carts were great they used to race them after work and remove what limited the speed once my brother wiped out and broke his hand slamming into the fence

[@t_better99]

I'm not familiar with Canadian things nor have I ever heard of this place, but my eyes teared up hearing about its history. One year shy, damn. ❤️

[@BestEdmontonMall]

I'm really happy you enjoyed it, despite not knowing anything about it! :)

[@amusementkrazy]

@@BestEdmontonMall I miss the old retro intro

[@shelleyelise8963]

I always wanted to go there but I never got to. I remember going past as a kid and asking my parents but we never made it before it closed. We always meant to.

[@Inlinetodie]

Hahahah, yes there was a Streetfighter, we literally fought over trying to play that game, I hit my cousin so hard while doing the go karts, his helmet flew off

[@nah656]

What happened to winterburn outdoor water park?

[@nataliak2953]

Do Londonderry mall!!!! Please!!!

[@GoogsMindbent]

thanks for making this btw... place deserves a vid like this! 😃

[@laurenkimberly3937]

Can you do turbo ride?

[@mgreniuk]

I think my biggest regret will be that I never went for one final lap before it all closed.

[@the_omen_fan4920]

I remember the whitemud amusement park. mostly fun memories but also 2 not so fun..

[@sweethindi]

Why not the land west of west Ed along the henday Or the “forest” that’s just a few minutes west of the west end Walmart (beside stony plain road)

[@nathanielgvb7873]

When did it shut down!!!!!

[@jesseb4]

Does anybody know who the owners were?

[@devondazzle]

nothing about the guy who lived in the parking lot?

[@lauramckinney5625]

I remember begging my parents to take me and the day they did they closed the day before :(

[@gargwinvinesnake6961]

Never went there. It looked run down and my child was too young before it shutdown.

[@TheCC1651]

Wow, watching this made me sad in a good way. If my family felt bored or down what would cheer us up was going there & having a fun time leaving happy.

[@HerrenGamingNews]

this park's sacrifice wasn't worth it! The LRT has been nothing but a disaster, not to mention the LRT is extremely unsafe!