Back in business

Burlington Go-Karts reopens with mother-daughter team behind the wheel

BURLINGTON, P.E.I. – When Christena Compton’s husband asked if she wanted to purchase Burlington Go-Karts and Amusement Park, she laughed it off as a joke.

Still, the couple went to look at the property and what began as an off-handed comment quickly grew into a more serious discussion; by June 2022, Compton was getting ready to open the park to the public for the first summer since 2019.

“It’s scary,” laughed Compton.

In late 2020, Compton’s husband, Scott MacDonald, was at the park helping a coworker put in an oil tank and noticed the property was for sale. MacDonald’s coworker suggested that the property – including the house next to it – would be a great place for them to move. The couple lived in Summerside at the time but were looking to relocate.

“I never took (anything) of it. I thought it was just all a joke,” said Compton. “But he wanted back in the country, I wanted out of the city.”

In December 2020, they had moved into the Burlington house.

By February, the deal was done and Compton could officially call herself the owner of the park next door.

“She told me, and I didn’t believe them,” said Kayla Smith, Compton’s daughter and new manager of the park.

“She’s not much of a people person, so I’m like, ‘you’re not going to do that?’”

Although Compton had bought the place, she initially had no plans to operate a park and open it to the public. It had opperated as an amusement park since at least the 1970s. Rather, she intended for it to be enjoyed by her grandchildren.

As that summer crept nearer, though, Compton was bombarded by people sending Facebook messages or stopping by the property, asking when or if it would open.

“It was unreal,” said Compton.

In fall 2021, Smith offered to run the place for her mother if she decided to reopen the business. Compton took her up on the offer and they got to work – and there was plenty to go around.

For one, the bumper boats needed fixing; for another, the Go-Karts needed new breaks and seatbelts.

“The canteen was a disaster,” added Smith.

The business started opening for weekends in early June, and as of the 25th had expanded its hours during the week as well.

The effort has proven to be worth the behind-thescenes work – especially seeing how busy the park has been so far.

“Kayla found a review on Facebook a couple days ago bragging the place up,” said Compton. “So that feels good. We did something right,” she laughed.

Meanwhile, Smith is excited to see how the summer will go and already has plans for the future of the park. On her mind, in particular, is adding activities for younger children, or perhaps installing a pool.

In the future, Smith and Compton also hope to expand the canteen to include more than snacks, and perhaps add a deep fryer.

Overall, Smith and Compton both hope for a busy – and enjoyable – summer, and look forward to future years operating their very own amusement park.

“I just hope to have fun,” said Compton, “and (hope) everybody else does.”