Students from Rimbey elementary school didn’t seem worried about the cloudy cool weather last Wednesday.
The class was quick to jump into the outdoor pool and enjoy some water fun as the countdown to the end of the school year has arrived.
Teachers, however, weren’t as quick to take a plunge into the cold water and were quite ready to enjoy the relaxing benefits of one of the hot tubs on the premises.
The splash park, which has been closed for two years, due to technical failures, which seem insurmountable, will open Friday.
Community Services director Cindy Bowie was busy making a last minute check at the park, Wednesday.
“Everything is good to go,” she said, Thursday. “We will open Friday.”
During 2017 budget deliberations council decided that the spray park needed to be demolished as it was continually breaking down. At that time, council decided to add a fence around the area to increase the picnic space for the pool users and add two water features to the beach area of the existing outdoor pool.
The amount budgeted for this project was $86,000.
However, at the April 10 council meeting the decision to demolish the park was re-visted and council decided to spend the money earmarked for demolition plus another $14,000 to repair the park.
Fencing was originally included in the budget, however with the repair costs coming in at around $91,500, there will not be enough funds available for the fencing.
Council, at its meeting, Monday, May 8, agreed to pay for the fence with funds taken from recreation reserves. The cost will run between eight and nine thousand dollars.
As the spray park was slated for demolition, entrance fees were not discussed during budget deliberations.
Mayor Rick Pankiw said he had checked with other municipalities and noted that no one charges a fee for their spray park.
Council discussed the possibility of lifeguards supervising the spray park, but it was determined that children under three need to be kept within arm’s length of an adult.
Council agreed the spray park needed to be fenced so it could be kept separate from the pool.
The Aquatic centre includes a junior Olympic five-lane outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a spray park and a 4,600 square-foot office/change rooms.
This year the aquatic operator is Jonathan Miller. A team of lifeguards has been hired to keep a vigilant eye on the participants, ensuring everyone remains safe and happy.
For more information contact the centre at aquatics@rimbey.com or call them at 403-843-2437. Information call also be found at www.rimbey.com