Park’s long slide comes to an end

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This article was published 17/09/2017 (2935 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LOCKPORT — A dozen years after Skinner’s Wet ’n Wild water park saw its last swimmer zip down a water slide, the former attraction is being demolished.

The site, located behind one of the two iconic Skinner’s restaurants in Lockport, along the Red River, saw demolition work begin earlier last week.

Brenda Thompson, who co-owns the restaurant with her husband, said on Sunday the property was sold 13 years ago and the slides have deteriorated since then.

“It was all functional back then, but the new owner just wanted the property, not the water slide park,” Thompson said.

“They just let it go.”

The local fire chief and council have criticized the site, calling it an eyesore and a spot where someone could get injured.

Santa Fe Developments has plans to build housing on the 34 acres of land that stretch from River Road to Highway 9. Its website says it is planning to begin developing single-family, multi-family and commercial developments.

The developer could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

St. Andrews Mayor George Pike said the municipality tried unsuccessfully for years to persuade the former out-of-province owners of the site to demolish the deteriorating structure.

Pike said now there is a local owner, they finally had success.

“(For) residents in that area, this was one of their priorities — that the water slides go down,” he said.

“They now have the permits for it, including an environmental permit, and they say it will be done in a month. Hopefully, we can work with the developer and make the area nice again.”

Bob Swaffer and his adult son, Robbie, were on their way to a classic car show in Winnipeg Beach but pulled over to take a look at the site one last time.

“We came here a few times in the summer when the kids were younger,” Swaffer said.

“It was a great facility at the time. We enjoyed it.”

Robbie recalled there was more than just water slides.

“They had mini golf and bumper boats, too,” he said.

“It is amazing that it has been left like this for this long. It’s amazing no one has been hurt.”

Thompson agreed, admitting, while it is sad to see a place where so many people had so much fun go under the wrecking ball, it is time to take it down.

“I’m also happy and looking forward to something new coming in,” she said.

“It’s an eyesore now and also a hazard. It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca