Talk of a water park coming in Winnipeg is making a big splash, again.
“The department, Property and Planning, has been negotiating back and forth,” said Mayor Sam Katz.
A small hotel company, Canalta Hotels from Drumheller, Alberta confirmed it’s interested in building a hotel and water park near The Forks on a vacant lot across from Shaw Park.
“As of Tuesday, the department believed they have an agreement they can support and bring to council,” said Katz.
Since 2004, three potential bids to build the park, failed.
In 2008, the city offered $7 million to the next approved developer.
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“A water park here is not only great for visitors, it’s also great for our local people,” said Chantal Sturk-Nadeau with Tourism Winnipeg.
Nadeau says ever since the construction of the Museum for Human Rights and the Jets return, Winnipeg is back on the map, which entices developers to invest here.
But a water park would come at a cost.
10 years ago, the City of Steinbach spent $6 million on its pool, and despite 80,000 visitors attending the pool every year, that’s not enough to cover operating costs. The city pays over $500,000 to cover the pool’s annual operating costs.
So, will Winnipeg’s $7 million investment be enough to keep this plan afloat?
“If we’re not prepared to pay for it, then we don’t deserve a water park,” said Chamber of Commerce President David Angus.
After years of waiting and petitions, it seems Winnipeggers are ready to dish out the cash.
“I think it’d be cheaper than driving down to Grand Forks to use their wave pool, I think I would as soon stay here,” said one woman at The Forks.
The plan would still have to be approved by city council. No word when construction would begin, how big the hotel would be or how much the total project would cost.
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