Wild Rapids Waterslide Park hopes to have a new sun deck open for the start of its season.
The open-air deck will have chairs, tables with umbrellas and room for 120 people. Temporary seasonal beverage and barbecue areas will provide food and refreshment.
Bert Messier, of Bear Development Corp., said the deck is part of more than $200,000 in renovations and maintenance planned for the popular waterpark this year ahead of its end-of-June opening.
Visitors can use the sun deck without having to pay admission to the waterpark.
“I think that it’ll be a nice spot for the parents to go sit and relax while the kids have fun,” said Messier.
Regular visitors may notice a few other minor changes this summer. Cashiers, lifeguards and first-aid rooms will be relocated. Sidewalks, decks and stairs will be improved or replaced, and a new sound system added.
An existing watercraft building will also be replaced with a larger version to house all the necessary life jackets and other equipment required. A second smaller seasonal building will house public washrooms.
Longer term plans include paving the parking lot, but that is not planned for this season.
Sylvan Lake town council reviewed and approved the waterpark’s plans on Monday.
“It is always nice to see local businesses improve their facilities,” said Mayor Sean McIntyre. “The waterslides have been a hallmark for Sylvan Lake for decades.”
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com