Splish Splash! Local entrepreneurs propose inflatable water park at Kinosoo Beach to city council

Images from Fallow and Rande’s presentation in council on what a structure could look like in Cold Lake waters.

Cold Lakers could see another recreation option at Kinosoo Beach — an inflatable water park.

Harrison Fallow and Courtney Rande approached city council last Tuesday with their business, which looks to install an inflatable water park in the lake aimed at kids, six and up.

This floating aquatic playground would be located further out into the water, more toward the Water Treatment Plant.

Seen in other beach-laden communities like Sylvan Lake and Kelowna, if they’re granted all their approvals, the Cold Lake Splash Park hopes to be in the water by June.

“We can utilize the already beautiful beach we have, and just add to the excitement and things that can be offered at our beach here in Cold Lake,” Fallow told council.

“In front of the rock garden, we’re looking for about a 10 or 20 square foot area where we can set up a trailer for life jackets and a ticketing booth for the water park that we plan on putting in the water on the east side of the beach, towards the water treatment facility that we have there.”

Presentation Outline:

The entrepreneurs outlined some of their key features to council: the flexible and expanding ability in the design (based on demand), the safety aspect with life-guards and trained staff on-site, and the play structures itself being made of eco-friendly, non-toxic materials.

The proposed size would be 52 metres by 27 metres, anchored into the earth below with screw piles.

A bigger park like this needs to be out in eight feet of water, which with their mapping of the lake depth, would put it east of the Cold Lake barge area, they estimate. The area they’ve selected also has no rocks underneath.

While the estimated cost ranges from $180,000-210,000 to get up and running, what about the price to play?

They plan for different rates and passes, but the standard cost would be $28 plus GST.

This seasonal business would operate in summer months, be a job creator for the community, and another amenity that would separate Kinosoo Beach as a must-see destination, they argue.

Another idea is running swimming lessons outside again.

Overall, the presentation piqued the interest of council.

“It’s going to be pretty cool…it’ll be a great tourist draw,” said Mayor Craig Copeland on The Morning After. 

“Young entrepreneurs that are looking at bringing something pretty unique to the city. We wish them luck. Staff would work with them on a license agreement and it’ll come back to council, but once they touch the water, a lot of approvals are out of our hands.” 

(Discussion 17:57)

Questions were raised about what the province and feds would have to approve before they could go ahead.

For example, working with Alberta Health Services on beach contamination, and the times there are swim advisories due to avian fecal matter.

“We’ve reached out to Transport Canada to initiate conversations about changing some of the waterways, because we will be a designated swimming area, so we’ll have to follow their process to change some of the water mapping, so that on the maps, it’ll show that we are a swim area and not just jump in,” Fallow said.

Security is another factor, and they aim to hire a security group to oversee the equipment at night.

With a transportable kiosk and beach front area to set-up, Fallow and Rande are hopeful to make this just another amenity that adds to the growing list of things to do at the popular lake.

One that already in the summer months, is starting to see 1000-2000 people during peak days.

“It’s a gem…everybody is utilizing it. From the basketball courts to the volleyball courts, everybody has their spots. It’s a lot of fun. At night it’s a busy place, and in the winter, it’s one of the most popular areas to watch the northern lights.”