Once again the Kenosee Superslides are closed to the general public, on an order by the Saskatchewan Health Authority [SHA].
The popular attraction, which brings people to the area from every corner of the province, and other years, when there was no pandemic, from many other provinces and the northern United States, is in limbo as to when it may be able to reopen.
The slides were closed when the SHA deemed their condition as structurally unsafe, without providing specifics as to exactly what the peril is. The order to close was made after a visible inspection by employees of the SHA.
The owners were unable to open on Friday as a result and must remain closed till the situation can be corrected. The water park had met all provisions set out by the SHA in order to open due to the pandemic restrictions.
The water park had its equipment and slides inspected by members of a structural engineering firm, at the request of the owners last summer, and no problems or recommendations had been identified at that time. The staff also checks daily for any defects as an ongoing safety measure for its patrons and staff.
Owners of the water park, having to accept the situation, are remaining proactive and wish to make whatever modifications are needed to have the park reopen to the public.
No specifics have been identified as of yet for what structural deficiencies need to be corrected to make the necessary repairs in order to reopen. At present the ownership is concentrating on any efforts that they can make to reopen as quickly as possible so that they can resume their season, which ends on Sept. 7, the day before schools are scheduled to reopen.
The slides, in order to begin operation this summer later than usual, had to hire approximately 20 per cent more staff and extend their hours by 20 per cent as well to meet SHA guidelines in order to have a viable business plan going forward.
Under normal operating conditions, the water park serves over 7,000 patrons weekly. It has seen that drop to under 2,200 a week to stay within the SHA’s operating guidelines. Restricted to only 150 patrons at once, the water park began offering two sessions, a morning and an afternoon entry schedule, to make it viable to operate under the conditions.
This is an ongoing situation that the owners hope to resolve quickly as summer is winding down, and of particular interest to local businesses, patrons, and employees who all are affected when the popular attraction in closed.
Owners Harvey and Jan Armstrong made all the necessary upgrades that were needed after they purchased the park that the previous owners were advised to do to maintain the licensing for the venue, and made several more improvements to the park before being allowed to open for this season.
The situation has gained national attention with all major news networks covering the dilemma that the seasonal business has found itself in.
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