Need for speed satisfied at Thunder Rapids Fun Park

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This article was published 23/08/2016 (3572 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Out of the flat Canadian prairie, Verna and Roy McGuckin have created a mini-golf course complete with hilly terrain, an island and a waterfall.

Verna said they were looking to create a different type of mini-golf course when they first developed Thunder Rapids Fun Park (5058 Portage Ave.) in 1999. The elevated course is landscaped with plenty of shrubbery and flowers. Roy operates a pump system that takes water held in a small retention pond and moves it to the top of the site where it cascades in a small waterfall, then winds down the rest of the way along a streambed.

One of the course’s 18 holes is played on a small island connected by a wooden bridge. If you happen to really hit your ball hard, it might splash into the pond.

“It’s couples who go for the mini-golf,” Verna said. “It’s a good dating destination.”

For those who are seeking a faster paced adventure, Thunder Rapids offers go-karts for ages three and up. Children from three to five can take the wheel of a kiddie kart, and then graduate to a junior cart for ages six to nine. Those 10 and over can steer an Indy single cart around the track, with double carts available if you’re 14 and over and want to take a passenger along for the ride. Your passenger travels for free.

Thunder karts, which have more powerful nine horsepower motors, are also available.

A pool contains battery-operated bumper boats floating in 30 inches of water. The McGuckins have built batting cages for slo-pitch and fastball practice. A jungle gym offers a chance for children to exercise, and there is no charge to use the play area.

Verna said the majority of their customers are Winnipeggers, many of whom bring out their families. Occasionally a trucker, who is taking a break at the Husky truck stop across the Trans-Canada Highway, will walk over to play a round of golf or take the wheel of a much smaller vehicle.

Being located next to a busy highway does help their business, Verna said.

“You couldn’t run a business like this if you weren’t on a major route.”
She and Roy bought the property in 1997. They liked the area and found the municipal council eager to encourage new businesses.

“There was nothing on this side of the city for family fun,” Verna said.

Roy has a passion for cars so it seemed logical to start with go-karts.

She recalls selling tickets for the track from inside a tent when they first opened. They expanded gradually, adding the golf course two years later.

They also built a concession and arcade. Verna said the concession features a good range of ice cream treats, and people can stop in to eat even if they don’t want to buy tickets for the other facilities.

“Poutine is our most popular food. That’s something new this year.”

The concession is lined with shelving filled with automotive antiques and memorabilia — one of Roy’s touches.

Verna and Roy’s children Amber, 23, Tyler, 21 and Colleen, 16 all pitch in at the business. They also employ about 20 others, with many being university or high school students who live in the Headingley area.

Verna said Thunder Rapids is open from April to October, weather permitting. For more information, see www.thunderrapids.ca Information on the 21st annual Huntington’s Indy Go-Kart Challenge is available at www.hdmanitoba.ca or call 204-694-1779.

Supporting the fight to cure Huntington disease:

Since Thunder Rapids first opened, the McGuckins have hosted an annual fundraiser for the Winnipeg chapter of the Huntington Society of Canada. Event organizer Vern Barrett figures that about $500,000 has been raised for Huntington disease research and services for local people who have this hereditary brain disease.

“We’ve continually raised about $20,000 each year,” he said.

This year’s event is planned for Sun., Sept. 11 and teams are registering now. Barrett said the McGuckins have been extremely generous over the years.

“They’re such a tremendous family,” he said.

—Geary