WINNIPEG – Outgoing mayor Sam Katz says his future private-sector ventures could include bringing a “world class” water park to Winnipeg.
“The number one thing I get asked now is when is the city going to get a world class water park. Now that I’m in the private sector, maybe that’s something we’ll look into,” Katz said Wednesday.
Katz made the comment as he attended his last city council meeting. Council won’t sit again before the Oct. 22 election when a new mayor and council will be elected. Katz announced in June he wouldn’t run for re-election.
Katz, who has been mayor since 2004, said he mostly plans to spend more time with his family once he leaves office. But the owner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes said he will remain active in business, and suggested he might be the one to finally bring a water park to the Manitoba capital.
“It’s something we very much need,” Katz said. “I think it’s a shame Winnipeggers have to go to other cities or even the Capital Region and we don’t have something here.”
The city floated a plan in 2012 for a 50,000-square-foot water park and hotel to be built on a vacant lot at the Forks. But the deal with Alberta-based hotel chain Canalta fell apart after public backlash towards a deal that included a $7-million grant from the city.
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