After a month of preparation, Splash Island Waterpark in Portage la Prairie is on track to open Monday, June 2.
Staff have been working since the start of May to get the popular water park up and running. Though the site isn’t fully ready just yet, the team is confident they’ll meet their target.
“It's not 100% there yet, but it absolutely will be by next week,” notes Zapphira Major, recreation manager for the Portage Regional Recreation Authority (PRRA). “They put a lot of work into it.”
Returning staff and new access improvements
Major says the facility is well-staffed for summer, with returning university students and employees rotating between the outdoor park and the indoor Shindleman Aquatic Centre.
“We have staff coming back and forth from between the two,” she adds. “And then we have a lot of university staff coming back as well for the summer.”
The facility has also undergone some modest upgrades.
“We did update the lifeguard staff room and included a separate first aid space, so anybody who needs first aid care can now be cared for in a more private and respectful manner,” continues Major.
She also points to an overhaul of the family change rooms.
“That entryway has now been turned into one larger, more accessible change room.”
New features for visitors
Visitors will notice a few programming changes this year.
Weekend time slots introduced last season are returning, and a new weekday punch card aims to offer better value for local users.
Major remarks, “If you end up using all 10 punches, then it'll be significantly discounted between paying for those 10 out of the regular rate.”
Daily admission is $9 for individuals, including adults, seniors, youth and observers. Infants aged two and under pay $4. A family pass, which covers up to five people with a maximum of two adults, is $36. On weekends, visitors can choose a half-day or full-day rate: $9 or $13 for individuals, and $36 or $50 for families.
Those with PRRA memberships, either active or aquatic, can also use Splash Island without additional fees.
Grant adds accessibility equipment
Thanks to a community foundation grant, the park has purchased a lift to help guests with mobility needs transfer safely.
“It'll primarily be used at Shindleman Aquatic Centre, but we'll also be able to bring it over here,” mentions Major.
The lift is intended for use in the new change room space. “We've had requests for it, and we have borrowed one before from the school division,” she adds. “But it doesn't allow us to use it with everyone.”
Busy season expected
Last year saw more than 30,000 visitors from across the country.
While exact numbers aren’t tracked, Major says many stop by on road trips or day visits from Winnipeg and beyond.
“Lots of people will stop by on cross-country trips,” she continues. “They'll be in the area visiting family, they'll be out from the city making a day of it.”
Splash Island offers two large waterslides, a lazy river, bubble area, kiddie slide and play zone. Summer swimming lessons, public swims, and additional programs also run at the park.
The Shindleman Aquatic Centre will shut down for most of July for maintenance work before reopening with a limited schedule later in the summer.
As the forecast trends warmer, Major hopes to see a strong start.
“Hopefully by the weekend of the 7th, where it's nice weather and we're up and running and busy.”
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