Okotoks spray park to open in June

Okotoks families can look forward to cooling off at the spray park this summer.

The Town of Okotoks intends to open its spray park – weather permitting – before mid-June. The park typically opens on the May long weekend if temperatures are 20 degrees or warmer, but with inclement weather and Alberta Health Services (AHS) restrictions in place opening day is being delayed by a couple of weeks.

“We are anticipating opening in the beginning of June,” said Susan Laurin, director of community health and safety, adding most municipalities in the Calgary region are planning to open around the same time.

She said the mechanical systems are up-and-running in preparation for the summer and AHS has visited the site as per its usual process to inspect the equipment and water circulation system.

The only question mark now is whether provincial COVID-19 restrictions will permit operation of outdoor spray parks, she said.

While the Town plans to open around the second week of June, there is no word yet on the limits that could be imposed.

“We might need to limit the capacity and the number of people who can be at the spray park at the same time,” said Laurin.

Because the level of restrictions is unknown, she said the Town doesn’t have information on how the park will run just yet.

It could mean an ambassador is stationed at the site to educate and admit guests, and if the number of patrons is very limited the Town will ask families to stay for up to 90 minutes rather than camping out for the day, said Laurin.

“We know that with young kids sometimes it’s more difficult to pre-book, but if it’s really limited on what we can do then we would look at pre-booking, just like we did with the family swims and the skates we were offering before we had to shut down,” she said.

She said the Town understands the spray park is an important part of summertime entertainment and enjoyment for families in Okotoks and staff will be working hard to facilitate AHS mandates.

“We will be doing everything we can to make sure we’re operating the spray park safely and in accordance with whatever Alberta Health Services guidelines are,” said Laurin. “We believe we can come up with a reasonable solution, whatever the guidelines might be.”

In addition to spray park operations, the Town is also waiting to hear updates to indoor pool facility restrictions for cohort swim and lessons.

Registration for the next round of swimming lessons was supposed to open May 20, but has been delayed, said Laurin.

“We still haven’t got any word from the Province, so we’re going to delay taking registrations until then, because we just want proficiency, instead of people registering and then having to refund or credit,” she said.

Decisions will be made on registration and lesson dates once the Province announces swimming pools can resume some of their regular activities, she said.

However, those in need of child care for the summer are still able to register for day camps.

Depending on AHS guidelines for the camps, the Town may opt to offer licensed childcare for children of the same age group rather than a camp-style program.

For more information visit www.okotoks.ca.