City set to open two splash parks on Canada Day, two more shortly after
Summer has arrived and families will soon be able to enjoy the warm weather at one of Calgary’s splash parks, as the city plans to reopen four such facilities in the next couple of weeks.
Though she couldn’t say which ones, Tammy Robinson, parks manager at the City of Calgary, said two splash parks will open on Canada Day and two more within the first week of July.
Robinson said since the reopening of splash parks and wading pools moved to Stage 2 of the province’s relaunch strategy from Stage 3, the city has been working to ensure the facilities are ready for residents.
“We have a little less time to do things but we do have a very stringent way of how we go about these things,” she said, adding the third-party vendor that operates the parks has been briefed on AHS guidelines for cleaning and safety protocols, specifically for splash parks and wading pools.
“The document tells us you shouldn’t be sharing flotation devices, you should be limiting pool toys when you go because those are high-touch surfaces ... when it comes to washrooms we’ll be having an elevated cleaning schedule just to be cautious,” Robinson said.
Hours of operation are likely going to change, moving to a 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule, Robinson said, adding guests might be asked to leave throughout the day to give staff time to clean high-touch surfaces and washrooms.
In addition to normal water and pump testing protocols, Robinson said rigorous cleaning of the facility before, during and after guests arrive is a priority.
“It’s critical for all of us to make sure public safety is No. 1,” she said. “There will be a limit to these areas of 100 people at any one time ... What we’ll try to do is make sure everyone has an opportunity to come into the splash park and enjoy.”
Robinson said cleaning schedules and hours of operation will be dependent on the sites themselves and weather but that the city is hoping to have specifics worked out by the weekend.
In addition to splash parks, a handful of other recreation facilities are set to open later this month, as well as others scheduled for July and August.
AQUATIC AND FITNESS CENTRES
Bob Bahan (S.E.) — opening by
■
July 20
Canyon Meadows (S.W.) — opening
■ by July 20
Glenmore (S.W.) — opening by
■
July 20
Killarney (S.W.) — opening by
■
July 20
ARENAS
George Blunden (S.W.) — opening
■ by June 29 ( booking now open)
Henry Viney (N.E.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Norma Bush (N.W.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Optimist (S.W.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Shouldice (N.W.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Stew Hendry (N.E.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Stu Peppard (S.W.) — opening by
■
June 29 (booking now open)
Ed Whalen (S.W.) — opening by
■
Aug. 4
Jimmy Condon (S.W.) — opening
■
by Aug. 4
Joseph Kryczka (S.W.) — opening
■ by Aug. 4
Max Bell 1 and 2 (S.E.) — opening
■
by Aug. 4
Rose Kohn (S.E.) — opening by
■
Aug. 4
Remaining arenas to open in
■
September
SPRAY PARKS AND WADING POOLS
Bowness Park Wading Pool
■
(N.W.) — opening early July
Prairie Winds Park Spray Park
■
and Wading Pool (N.E.) — opening early July
Rotary Park Spray Park (N.E.) —
■
opening early July
South Glenmore Park Spray Park
■
(Variety Park) (S.W.) — opening early July