'It's like Christmas morning for us': Adventure Bay reopens under heat warning in Windsor
Windsor’s largest water park, Adventure Bay reopened Monday afternoon after sitting closed to the public for more than two years.
Reduced hours were met by happy swimmers, relieved the operation resumed despite less availability.
“The sentiment around here is it’s like Christmas morning,” said Jen Knights, executive director of recreation and culture for the City of Windsor. “We are extraordinarily excited to be reopening Adventure Bay.”
Knights said water parks were amongst the last of the attractions granted the ability to reopen under provincial reopening procedures, noting hours will operate daily from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. until Labour Day weekend.
Adventure Bay reopened to the public after sitting closed for more than two years in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)“Certainly the aquatic staff shortage that many municipalities across the country are experiencing played a major role in our reopening date and our reopening hours,” Knights explained. “Our staff are required before they even come on to our pool decks or into the waterpark to have over 100 hours of training and a number of certifications so that we can keep everybody safe.”
Knights told CTV News many staff moved on to other things during the two-year COVID-19 pandemic hiatus, adding officials have been working to catch up on certifying and recertifying staff.
“It's a challenge because we realize that the staff that we have, many of whom are young and in high school, college or university have competing priorities and competing things that they haven't been able to do for a couple of years,” Knights said. “And to have them come out and try and take a bunch of aquatic courses in a short period of time just from logistics and scheduling can be a challenge.”
Adventure Bay reopened to the public after sitting closed for more than two years in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)Adventure Bay reopened to the public after sitting closed for more than two years in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)Meantime, all other outdoor pool programs resumed Monday according to Knights who said enough staff had been recruited for participants of all ages to take part at Atkinson, Central, Mic Mac, Remington Booster and Riverside Centennial Outdoor Pools.
The only outdoor pool staying closed this season is Lanspeary Pool on Langlois Avenue. The city said it will not open this summer due to the number of repairs it needs.
A replacement report is expected at the next city council meeting on July 11.
Adventure Bay reopened to the public after sitting closed for more than two years in Windsor, Ont. on Monday, July 4, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)“Lanspeary was built in the early 1950s and has lasted an extraordinarily long time,” Knights said. “But the amount of mechanical and structural work required for that pool, unfortunately, didn't give us the opportunity to open it this summer.”
“We're asking council to take a look at the report and review and certainly provide direction to administration moving forward.”
Knights said, “Windsor has a wide number of water-related options for people whether it's the splash pads or the beach or the indoor facilities, Adventure Bay, outdoor pools. So as far as programming, we are relaunching a good amount of our programming so that people can hopefully come out and join us based on what their interests are. But, we're really pleased and are looking forward to welcoming people back.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.