Adventure Bay to close temporarily

by Justin Prince

The Adventure Bay Water Park will be temporarily shutting down after receiving complaints about having slippery floors.

According to Don Sadler, the project manager for the Family Water Complex, there have been multiple complaints about the floors being too slippery when either walking or running since its opening on Jan. 18. The park is planning to use an after-market sand-based coating to prevent slipping and will close the park to apply the coating Feb. 23-28.

“We felt that we wanted to make the experience a little better in there,” said Sadler. “Water parks and water park floors are going to be inherently a little bit slippery. So it’s one of those things that we noticed.”

According to Sadler, the floor coating is made by Sika Canada which is compatible with the current floor at the park. The current epoxy flooring meets both friction and safety standards in Canada, but the coating will be used to improve its slip friction. Sadler said the coating will be covered within the facility’s current $78 Million budget.

“We want everyone to enjoy themselves at the water park,” said Ward 1 Coun. and chair of the Windsor Aquatic Complex’s Standing Committee Drew Dilkens. “We don’t want people to get hurt.  Safety is our primary goal.”

Park officials are also planning to investigate building an elevator or conveyor belt in the facility to be used for the rafts. The park’s website said the ride goes through a course above the park and can hold up to 600 lbs. According to Dilkens, the cost to have this installed could be at least $200,000.

“It’s more of a convenience for users,” said Sadler. “Right now they carry the rafts up to the top of the slide tower (of the Python.)”

Sadler said the elevator will have to be custom-made and the cost can increase depending on the company. According to Dilkens, the elevator would be used to help the water park’s younger guests get to the top of the tower without having to carry the rafts.

“What we are doing is trying to enhance the experience of users,” said Sadler.

The park will close for the week starting Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.