Splash Island open for wet, wild action

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/07/2020 (2005 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Summer has begun with a splash.

Splash Island Waterpark, located in Portage la Prairie, opened to the public on July 6 with some modifications due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patrons will need to pre-book time slots to use the facility, similar to the new procedures at the community’s indoor pool and gym.

Recreation manager Zapphira Neuschwander notes that the pre-determined three-hour time slots are posted on the Stride Place website (www.strideplace.ca), as well as on social media. Patrons can pre-register online.

“It’s really the only way that we can monitor capacity given that we’ve had to cut back so much from how we’re typically able to operate,” she said.

“There won’t be any drop-ins but if people pre-book online, they can just show up for that public swim block. They reserve the whole three-hour block and pay the same fee, even if they don’t stay for the whole time.”

The waterpark, operated by the Portage Regional Recreation Authority, features a lazy river, two waterslides, a children’s slide and more.

In addition, summer swimming lessons will begin at Splash Island starting the week of July 13. Online registration is underway.

Families will notice staggered start times for the lessons, as well as several other changes due to COVID-19.

“There’s a little bit of a difference with some of the preschool levels with reduced class sizes,” Neuschwander said.

“However, the big change is that all the preschool levels will be parented this year because those classes are so hands-on. This is an effort to reduce the number of interactions between our staff and students. There will still be an instructor guiding them through it all, but a parent will be doing the hands-on instruction.”

Two-week swimming sessions will run weekday mornings at Splash Island. Evening classes are also available at the indoor Shindleman Aquatic Centre.

For another summer option, Portage Regional Recreation Authority is offering eight weeks of summer day camps, which started on July 6. The camps, geared for kids aged five to 12, will feature a different theme each week. Two of the sessions will also be open to four-year-olds, and registration is available online.

“There are different health and safety protocols. Given the frequent changes that are happening with all the guidelines, parents will be sent an email the week before camp outlining what that will look like,” Neuschwander said.

“We’ll make sure that every parent knows what’s happening for the next week.”

For more information about summer programs or to register, visit www.strideplace.ca or call 204-857-7772.