Water slides in Prince Albert could be receiving a $100,000 in repairs.
As part of the Kraft Celebration Tour, the Kinsmen Water Park in Prince Albert was nominated and is now a top 10 finalist.
Voters put the family favourite location in the top 10 as finalists were announced at the start of July, with latest round ending Wednesday night.
Now, Prince Albert – along with nine other communities – will wait for the verdict on the ultimate winner of $100,000. The recipient will be announced on August 25.
The estimated repairs for the Kinsmen Water Park will cost the City of Prince Albert $260,000.
“The money from the Kraft Celebration Tour would help ensure that summer could return to our community,” read the nomination form for the park.
Along with the water park, the top 10 finalists include a football field, tennis courts, hockey rink and skate park and curling rink, among others.
Prince Albert’s Kinsmen Water Park was recently shut down due to safety issues from the aging slides and other equipment.
The park has been a popular location for the past 28 years and includes two regular slides, a raft ride, toddler slide, hot tub, playground, 20-metre pool and a tot pool.
“This aging facility has [reached] the point of no repair and for safety reason the slides have to be closed this year,” read the nomination form on the Kraft Celebration Tour website, submitted by Shannon Hurl.
The city’s water park serves not only area residents, but tourists as well.
The nomination brief says the park has been well attended in years past.
“Estimating that of the 35,000 people who visit the Kinsmen Water Park per season, more than half come for the watersides,” Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne was quoted as saying.
“For lots of our young children in our community, this is where they go [if] they can’t afford to go to the lake or other places like that, so this park means quite a lot to them.”
The water park not only offers entertainment for area residents and tourists, but employment for many students.
Finalists
Prince Albert is among the top 10 finalists for the Kraft Celebration Tour for a chance at $100,000.
The city is hoping the votes will be there to secure the $100,000 grand prize to fix up the Kinsmen Water Park.
Joining Prince Albert in the finals are:
• Gander Community Tennis Association: The Newfoundland and Labrador community is looking to turn its outdoor tennis courts into indoor for year-round use.
• Holland Recreation Committee: Holland, Man., is looking to upgrade facilities like the Ice Gardens and ball diamonds that are run by volunteers.
• St Andrews Community Youth Activity Centre Skate Park: The New Brunswick community needs help to upgrade its skatepark facilities.
• Patinoire Exterueure: In Montebello, Que., area residents are in search up help to fix up their deteriorating outdoor hockey rink.
• Birchwood Field: In Charlottetown, area residents are hoping for upgrades to their popular homemade football fields.
• Springhill Lions Park: The younger population of Springhill, Nova Scotia, has suffered from the state of their outdoor parks. Help for upgrades is being sought.
• Barrhead Curling Club: In Barrhead, Alta., residents are looking for help to upgrade their curling club.
• Nanaimo Community Boathouse and Public Washroom: Community rowers in Nanaimo, BC, are looking for help to build new storage sheds and public washrooms.
• The Miracle League of Ottawa: The capital city is looking for help to ensure all children are able to play baseball through this volunteer program.
