[Acajack]

http://newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2008/08/c7271.html

[harls]

460 acres.. good god!

Will it be visible from the 417 I wonder? I thought waterparks needed some sort of hilly terrain, it's pretty flat out there, isn't it?

[Acajack]

Yeah, well the one this company operates near Québec City is pretty massive and impressive. I think the one in Eastern Ontario will be a tad smaller however.

[MolsonExport]

The shittiest things about waterparks are (in order):
1. waiting in line, either freezing your ass off or burning to a crisp (in either case, suffering from boredom).
2. getting hit in the head from some asshole's foot.
3. having to look at the trailor-trash tattoos adorning half the women (stupid butterfly above asscrack, or some dolphin, or barbed-wire a la Pamela Anderson) and three-quarters of the men.

[BlackRedGold]

Well they're claiming it will be the biggest in Canada.

I think the previously announced Lottawatta waterpark will be a bigger hit. It's going to off the 416 near Bankfield and developed by a local company that designs water rides for places like Six Flags and Great Wolfe Lodge.

Here's an article on Lottawatta:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=b5eb523b-3801-4b83-9aa4-3875f29d1f7a

[clynnog]

Well they're claiming it will be the biggest in Canada.

I think the previously announced Lottawatta waterpark will be a bigger hit. It's going to off the 416 near Bankfield and developed by a local company that designs water rides for places like Six Flags and Great Wolfe Lodge.

Here's an article on Lottawatta:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/story.html?id=b5eb523b-3801-4b83-9aa4-3875f29d1f7a

Well I wish them luck, but in all honesty can this area keep potentially 3 places like this going (Mont Cascades, this one near the Tick and the one out in Limoges) with our prime weather going from the end of June until Labour Day.

I can see the council in The Nation getting behind this (not much else creating jobs there), but I'm sure the Manotick water park will run into local opposition and City stalling. Does it require an OPA?...anybody?

[clynnog]

The shittiest things about waterparks are (in order):

3. having to look at the trailor-trash tattoos adorning half the women (stupid butterfly above asscrack, or some dolphin, or barbed-wire a la Pamela Anderson) and three-quarters of the men.

You've obviously been to the same waterparks as I have....they do attract quite an interesting assortment of characters.

[Acajack]

Hard to say at this point which of these parks will end up being the most successful.

But it’s interesting that after having for many years a relative dearth of these types of recreational parks, we are now poised to have what is perhaps an overabundance of them. (Of course, there is a still a dearth of “La Ronde” and “Wonderland”-type theme parks in this area, but that’s another story.)

Anyway, the people setting up in Limoges aren’t simply counting on the Ottawa-Gatineau market for their park, since they’ll be barely more than an hour away from Montreal as well.

[harls]

There's Parc Aquatique in Pointe-Calumet near Mirabel, too.. now that I think of it, isn't Mirabel Airport supposed to be converted into some sort of fabulous waterworld too? I think there's another one near St-Sauveur too, the place with the big fake water tap.

The shittiest things about waterparks are (in order):
1. waiting in line, either freezing your ass off or burning to a crisp (in either case, suffering from boredom).
2. getting hit in the head from some asshole's foot.
3. having to look at the trailor-trash tattoos adorning half the women (stupid butterfly above asscrack, or some dolphin, or barbed-wire a la Pamela Anderson) and three-quarters of the men.

Man, now I'm going to have to cancel my tattoo appointment. I was all fired up for this..

Lottawatta? They stole my idea for bottled water from the ottawa river, I was going to call it "Ottawater". jerks.

[Kitchissippi]

SUNNYLAND? What kind of sucky name is that? It's not even bilingual, which is surprising coming from francophone entrepreneurs.

[harls]

It sounds like a magical, whimsical kind of place.

[Kitchissippi]

It sounds like a magical, whimsical kind of place.

Like this place (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CK85ip8Przo)? :haha:

[harls]

HA.. exactly!

[BlackRedGold]

Well I wish them luck, but in all honesty can this area keep potentially 3 places like this going (Mont Cascades, this one near the Tick and the one out in Limoges) with our prime weather going from the end of June until Labour Day.

The developers of Lottawatta own Mont Cascades, which they use to test their new rides.

I can see the council in The Nation getting behind this (not much else creating jobs there), but I'm sure the Manotick water park will run into local opposition and City stalling. Does it require an OPA?...anybody?

The regional councillor, Glenn Brooks, seems to be on board.

I don't know how much local opposition there will be since the site doesn't have any locals nearby. It isn't in Manotick and it's not in Richmond. It's right off the 416 so it isn't going to be causing any traffic problems for anyone.

[BlackRedGold]

Lottawatta? They stole my idea for bottled water from the ottawa river, I was going to call it "Ottawater". jerks.

I think they've changed the name now to Alottawata based upon an article in the Citizen.

Searching for Lottawatta brings up a lot of results for a lodge at DisneyWorld.

[Acajack]

SUNNYLAND? What kind of sucky name is that? It's not even bilingual, which is surprising coming from francophone entrepreneurs.

Francophone entrepreneurs setting shop across the border in Ontario (albeit in a majority francophone area like Prescott-Russell) often have the mindset that they have to go “full anglo” in order to prove themselves in the new market. Rightly or wrongly, the last thing they want is to be identified as is a Quebec/French/francophone or worse!, separatist-leaning (egads!) company.

When Quebec convenience store giant Couche-Tard made its first foray outside Quebec, it was in largely French-speaking towns in Eastern Ontario, but even there it renamed its outlets “Winks”. Similar logo with the winking owl, but different name.

[Acajack]

In my opinion, not that many people from the Quebec side of the river are willing to venture to western and southwestern fringes of Ottawa for entertainment and shopping, so I wouldn’t count on that segment of the market. Just ask the Ottawa Senators and the unemployed manager of the defunct Bayshore Ailes de la Mode store.

But then again, south and west Ottawa and outlying areas may easily be large enough to support a new waterpark with little or no clientele from the Quebec side. Perhaps as well, if these are the same people as Mont-Cascades, maybe they think the Quebec side and some stragglers from Ottawa is a big enough market to support Cascades, and that there’s an untapped market in that part of the region that finds Cascades too far and maybe even too French (don’t laugh, more people than you suspect actually think that way).

But I’d bet lots of people from the Gatineau side would go to Sunnyland in Limoges, no matter the name. It’s on the highway to Montreal that everyone is familiar with, in what is perceived to a franco-friendly area where many in Gatineau have friends and family, plus Village Vacances Valcartier is well-known across Quebec via ads, media, word-of-mouth...

[harls]

When Quebec convenience store giant Couche-Tard made its first foray outside Quebec, it was in largely French-speaking towns in Eastern Ontario, but even there it renamed its outlets “Winks”. Similar logo with the winking owl, but different name.

When I was in Brandon, MB last year, all of the Mac's outlets featured the Couche-tard winking owl (it used to be a cat). It was still called "Mac's" though. I've never heard of "Winks" before?

[BlackRedGold]

In my opinion, not that many people from the Quebec side of the river are willing to venture to western and southwestern fringes of Ottawa for entertainment and shopping, so I wouldn’t count on that segment of the market. Just ask the Ottawa Senators and the unemployed manager of the defunct Bayshore Ailes de la Mode store.

But then again, south and west Ottawa and outlying areas may easily be large enough to support a new waterpark with little or no clientele from the Quebec side. Perhaps as well, if these are the same people as Mont-Cascades, maybe they think the Quebec side and some stragglers from Ottawa is a big enough market to support Cascades, and that there’s an untapped market in that part of the region that finds Cascades too far and maybe even too French (don’t laugh, more people than you suspect actually think that way).

You can't assume that everyone living north of the Ottawa River is a francophone who knows little about Ottawa's west end. I know lots of people who are aren't francophones that live in Quebec because of the cheap housing prices. I also see them shopping at Bayshore or at Senators games.

But I’d bet lots of people from the Gatineau side would go to Sunnyland in Limoges, no matter the name. It’s on the highway to Montreal that everyone is familiar with, in what is perceived to a franco-friendly area where many in Gatineau have friends and family, plus Village Vacances Valcartier is well-known across Quebec via ads, media, word-of-mouth...

I think that they'd probably go to the closer park, all things being equal. And unless a bridge is built in eastern Gatineau, the park off the 416 will be closer to Gatineau residents.

I don't think a park off the 417 would be able to draw very well from Montreal. There are other parks closer to Montreal.

[Rathgrith]

The shittiest things about waterparks are (in order):

3. having to look at the trailor-trash tattoos adorning half the women (stupid butterfly above asscrack, or some dolphin

No its not! Its a bulleyes to let the world know that they put out!

[Acajack]

[QUOTE=BlackRedGold;3268413]You can't assume that everyone living north of the Ottawa River is a francophone who knows little about Ottawa's west end. I know lots of people who are aren't francophones that live in Quebec because of the cheap housing prices. I also see them shopping at Bayshore or at Senators games.
QUOTE]

I didn't say *everyone* was francophone. But one can't deny that something like 85% of them are. It's not me that's saying it, it's Stats Canada!

I don’t really care which of the parks ends up being more successful, if at all. I’m trying to look at it from a logical viewpoint.

People will go to the better product, especially if one is only 15 or 20 minutes further away than the other. I live in Gatineau about 10 min. from the Byward Market and I’m not really sure the Brophy Rd. exit off the 416 is closer to my house than Limoges is off the 417.

Anyway, having been to both Valcartier and Cascades, if the west end Ottawa project is just a slightly bigger version of what they have at Cascades, then the Valcartier people are going to blow them out of the water (pardon the pun). We’re just not playing in the same league here.

Valcartier near Quebec City has about 35 slides. Among other things, it’s got a massive pirate ship set-up and a huge wave pool that’s built into the side of a fake ocean liner. The west end guys are talking about 10 slides, while Sunnyland will apparently be “similar” to Valcartier, without saying whether it will actually be bigger or smaller.

I don't think the Sunnyland-Valcartier people are expecting Montreal to be the major part of their market, but they will draw some people from there. Every bit helps, and there are something like 500,000 people on the West Island alone, so even a small % of them driving down every summer will be gravy for the Limoges park.

[waterloowarrior]

Great North Parks also planed a waterpark near Smith Falls


Jan. 3, 2008 Projects
A rival amusement park near Ottawa forces redesign of Smith Falls project
OTTAWA

Thrills and spills at a proposed $30 million amusement park in Smith Falls will have to wait as the project has been delayed to undergo a redesign due to competition.

“Recently another company announced plans to develop a major park facility in the Barrhaven area. As this company is also a manufacturer of park equipment they are able to build a facility at a fraction of the cost of other developers,” explained Todd Mattila-Hartman, Great North Parks new development director.

“This unfair advantage would create an extremely difficult environment for the proposed Smiths Falls development to compete in.”

Great North Parks Corporation announced this past August that it planned to build a massive water and amusement park with three themed areas including a traditional amusement park with rides, games and food, a water park and a large special events area to host concerts or festivals. The park was to be developed on a 75-acre site which currently is vacant municipal and private land.

Mattila-Hartman recently stated through the Great North Parks Web site that “Great North Parks remains committed to the project, and will begin to redesign the proposal to be competitive in the new marketplace.”
How long this redesign will take and what changes it may entail were unavailable as Great North Parks did not return calls as of press deadline.
— DCN Staff

http://www.dcnonl.com/article/id25901



press release
http://www.greatnorthparks.ca/docs/media-2007-12-10-final.pdf

[BlackRedGold]

People will go to the better product, especially if one is only 15 or 20 minutes further away than the other. I live in Gatineau about 10 min. from the Byward Market and I’m not really sure the Brophy Rd. exit off the 416 is closer to my house than Limoges is off the 417.

The one by the 416 would be about 10 km closer according to Google Maps.

Anyway, having been to both Valcartier and Cascades, if the west end Ottawa project is just a slightly bigger version of what they have at Cascades, then the Valcartier people are going to blow them out of the water (pardon the pun). We’re just not playing in the same league here.

I haven't been to Valcartier and I haven't been to Cascades in over 20 years. But ProSlide. who has sold slides to Valcartier, claims their new park will be six times bigger then Cascades.

Valcartier near Quebec City has about 35 slides. Among other things, it’s got a massive pirate ship set-up and a huge wave pool that’s built into the side of a fake ocean liner. The west end guys are talking about 10 slides, while Sunnyland will apparently be “similar” to Valcartier, without saying whether it will actually be bigger or smaller.

ProSlide is claiming it will open with 10 slides and grow from there. Since Valcartier is claiming the project will take 10 years to complete, I doubt they'll be opening with 35 slides.

Since ProSlide develops and builds their own slides, they'll have a cost advantage as the proposed Smith Falls park has already stated.

[waterloowarrior]

Limoges waterpark siteplan (preliminary version from june 07)


http://www.journallanouvelle.ca/imgs/dynamique/articles/gros/p03_planparcWEB.jpg (http://www.journallanouvelle.ca/article-113114-Le-parc-aquatique-se-rapproche-rapidement-de-Limoges.html)

[Aylmer]

I think an urban waterpark would be more interesting than one in the goonies...

[O-Town Hockey]

I think an urban waterpark would be more interesting than one in the goonies...

I think it would be a waste of space and god awful ugly. These things were meant to be built far away from the city where there is ample parking and not many neighbours.

[clynnog]

I think it would be a waste of space and god awful ugly. These things were meant to be built far away from the city where there is ample parking and not many neighbours.

If it is out in the boondocks how are the teenage kids who work there and want to visit going to get there. A use like this is very difficult to find the optimum location. There is one between Brampton, Etobicoke and Mississagua which has little in the way of neighbours but I believe is close to public transit. Same goes for one in the south end of Kitchener near the 401.

There is another article in today's Citizen about the fight to the finish in terms of approvals etc, in order to start building.

[Acajack]

I too see the public transport logic/problem with these places so isolated from cities, especially for their mainly teen-aged staff. Yet if I look at Valcartier (pretty far out of town) and Mont-Cascades, they always seem to manage. Perhaps they have shuttles to pick up their staff at key transfer points in the city?

Anyway, there isn’t really anywhere in the world right now where these large recreational facilities are being built in the hearts of cities. The cost of land is just too prohibitive, and these places generally need lots of land.

[jeremy_haak]

I imagine most of the employment would be concentrated in the local area: Vars, Casselman, Limoges, Russell, Embrun etc.

[BlackRedGold]

I too see the public transport logic/problem with these places so isolated from cities, especially for their mainly teen-aged staff.

The thing is that the teenaged staff is generally going to be old enough to drive since I think you have to be 16 before you can qualify as a lifeguard.

I think the ideal location would have been out by Scotiabank Place so that public transit would have been close and the SBP parking lots could serve the facility.

[d_jeffrey]

I'm really happy with this annoucement, I just hope that they will try to work with the Alottawatta guys, like they are implying in the articles (and keep the name too). Competition is good, but too much competition may kill the market. Two major parks opening in the same year is too much IMO.

[movebyleap]

"SUNNYLAND"? Lame name.

[O-Town Hockey]

:previous:
I second that motion

[d_jeffrey]

"SUNNYLAND"? Lame name.

It's like living in a world of Sunny D! With vitamins! And a sun with glasses!

[BlackRedGold]

"SUNNYLAND"? Lame name.

It sounds like some US Sunbelt inner-city development that's become a ghetto.

[clynnog]

The regional councillor, Glenn Brooks, seems to be on board.


Now that is a ringing endorsement. Glenn Brooks is not one of the more dynamic guys on Ottawa Council.

[clynnog]

But then again, south and west Ottawa and outlying areas may easily be large enough to support a new waterpark with little or no clientele from the Quebec side. Perhaps as well, if these are the same people as Mont-Cascades, maybe they think the Quebec side and some stragglers from Ottawa is a big enough market to support Cascades, and that there’s an untapped market in that part of the region that finds Cascades too far and maybe even too French (don’t laugh, more people than you suspect actually think that way).


Unfortunately, you've hit the bullseye there. There are many Ottawa residents who never venture to 819 for fear (unsupported) that they will get lost etc., and nobody will be able to speak english. My french is rudimentary at best, and I try and speak french initially when in 819 etc, and have never had a problem with the language etc. My BIL and SIL were here last year on Canada Day (they live in Brantford, Ontario...capital of the Ontario rustbelt) and we went to see the fireworks from Jacques Cartier park. Believe it or not ,they felt nervous walking from Parc Fontaine in Hull to Jacques Cartier as they didn't hear anybody speaking english.

On the flip side there are many people in QC who try and avoid going anywhere too english etc., in Ontario and Ottawa.

This fear goes both ways.

IMHO Mont Cascades is one place you would never have trouble in the Outaouis just speaking english. The same goes for Aylmer, the Casino, Mont St. Marie, Tremblant, Montebello, the Pontiac etc.

[harls]

On the flip side there are many people in QC who try and avoid going anywhere too english etc., in Ontario and Ottawa.


My mother-in-law is like that. When she visits from Quebec City, she never takes the 417 for fear of getting lost somewhere or breaking down in Ottawa trying to find my place in Gatineau. No getting through to her.

[lrt's friend]

I was always hoping that entrepreneurs would form a partnership with the CCEA to develop a permanent amusement and water park on Albion Road. Obviously, the location away from a major highway is not ideal for such an investment. Too bad investors would not consider the proximity to proposed rapid transit as an asset. Maybe when we reach $1.50 to $2.00 per litre gas, thinking will change.

[BlackRedGold]

Too bad investors would not consider the proximity to proposed rapid transit as an asset.

It's not that they don't think it would be an asset. The problem is that land close to rapid transit would be far too expensive to make a project like this feasible.

[lrt's friend]

Well, the CCEA already owns the land. They just need funding to develop it.

[Mille Sabords]

I was always hoping that entrepreneurs would form a partnership with the CCEA to develop a permanent amusement and water park on Albion Road. Obviously, the location away from a major highway is not ideal for such an investment. Too bad investors would not consider the proximity to proposed rapid transit as an asset. Maybe when we reach $1.50 to $2.00 per litre gas, thinking will change.

The Ex should forget moving to Albion Road. It is, and has to remain, an urban amusement fair. It belongs in the city. Transit or no transit, I am not taking my kids to the frikkin' boonies to go on rides. I will sooner go to Centre Island or La Ronde. It MUST be in a pedestrian setting, or forget about it.

[lrt's friend]

Tell that to Larry O'Brien!

[d_jeffrey]

The name will officially change, due to complaints. It's now Parc Calypso. At least it's less childish.

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/article/20080309/CPDROIT/80309072/6784/CPDROIT

[Aylmer]

Thank the heavens!

[movebyleap]

That is good news indeed! Good riddance to"Sunnyland"!!!

[waterloowarrior]

site plan application (http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__67QISJ)for the alottawata water park
location (http://apps104.ottawa.ca/emap?emapver=lite&LAT=45.210923&LON=-75.761048&featname=4221+Moodie+Drive&lang=en)

[harls]

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/293114462709013.php#



Water park construction slips behind schedule

By Peter Kovessy, Ottawa Business Journal Staff

Mon, Nov 17, 2008 12:00 AM EST

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/temporaryimages/bp25586.jpg
The future site of the Calypso water park in Limoges. (File photo by Etienne Ranger)


Firms behind Alottawata, Calypso Park still looking to tender significant number of subcontracts

It appears Ottawa-area residents will have to wait a little longer than expected to cool off in the two water parks under construction in the National Capital Region.

Alottawata Park, being built off Highway 416 south of Barrhaven and originally scheduled for a summer 2009 opening, has pushed back its opening date to 2010. This year's heavy rainfalls convinced builders to do more extensive re-grading than originally planned, using crushed concrete and aggregate.

Likewise, the $50-million Calypso Park in Limoges, roughly half an hour east of Ottawa, is almost two months behind schedule. The Quebec-based company building that park remains optimistic this winter's snowfall will arrive late enough for work crews to get back on schedule for a 2009 opening.

But officials say they'll evaluate their progress and decide on an opening date this December.

"Hopefully we're going to be able to give (an opening) date (for) next summer ... That's our goal," says Ginette Robert, vice-president of sales and marketing at Village Vacances Valcartier, which also operates a family theme and water park outside Quebec City.

Ms. Robert says there are currently about 100 workers on the site just off Highway 417, which now sports metal frames for its tallest slides stretching roughly 80 feet in the air. About half its slides have been delivered, some of which are already in place, and the foundations for the wave pool and service buildings have been laid.

Meanwhile, most of the concrete at Alottawata Park will be poured next spring, says Rick Hunter, president of ProSlide Technologies, a firm which also designs and develops water rides to parks around the world and owns Mont Cascades Waterpark north of Gatineau.

"We had to do more re-grading than we originally planned on doing ... (Pushing back the opening date) just made sense. We would have had to have been building through the winter and it was just going to be too tight," says Mr. Hunter.

He says his company is beginning discussions with local contractors to do "significant foundation work" for the wave pool, lazy river, rides, towers and other buildings at the site.

Village Vacances Valcartier also has a significant number of contracts that need to be awarded to build the park's river and equip its restaurants, among other projects. Most contracts have so far been awarded to contractors in Ottawa, Gatineau and Prescott-Russell, says Ms. Robert.

Mr. Hunter says he is building Alottawata "for the long term" and that there's no race to complete his park ahead of Calypso. He has also previously downplayed suggestions of rivalry between the two parks as well as questions of whether the market is large enough to support the two new facilities along with Ottawa's current water park of choice, Mont Cascades.

Earlier this year, however, both Mr. Hunter and opposition politicians questioned the fairness of a $2-million provincial grant given to Calypso out of a rural economic development fund, given that the parks are expected to compete against each other and that Alottawata is financed with private dollars.

And while the poor economic climate is expected to cause consumers to cut back on discretionary spending, Mr. Hunter says regional water and theme parks are, for the most part, "recession-proof."

Noting ProSlide supplied all the major rides to Siam Park in the Canary Islands, which just opened in September, and is working on new parks in Greece, Malaysia and the United States, Mr. Hunter says his industry remains confident that consumers will continue to open their wallets to visit water parks.

"People will still buy food, they'll go to the theatre and, generally, they will go to the day park ... "They won't necessarily get in an airplane as much, but they will drive."

[Aylmer]

Hey! I passed by that on my way to Montréal last weekend!

Looks cool!

:cool:

[Radster]

Somewhat old news, but still hasn't been posted on here, both parks now have pushed back opening until summer 2010.

I am a bit disappointed, because every time I drive by Limoges on my way to Montreal and see the new slides, I would get excited about going there this summer.... The overcrowded Mont-Cascades park doesn't cut it anymore :(

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/Ottawa+water+parks+delay+openings/1161984/story.html

[sky.high]

Pretty sure this is the same water park I saw on my way to Montreal last Saturday. It is visible from the highway... And, kind of in middle of nowhere :rolleyes:

[Sens1992]

Looks like it will be a nice one... It is about time for Ottawa. Check this link for some photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calypsoparc/

[sky.high]

site plan application (http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__67QISJ)for the alottawata water park
location (http://apps104.ottawa.ca/emap?emapver=lite&LAT=45.210923&LON=-75.761048&featname=4221+Moodie+Drive&lang=en)

For some reason I can't stop laughing when I read the "Alottawata" ... Can you picture your kid asking you: "can we go to a lottaaaaa wattaaaaa?" - "huh? umm... there is plenty of wattaaaa on Rideau Canal. Wanna go for a drive down Colonel By???"

I like the name Sunny Park better...

[Kitchissippi]

must be related to the Austin Powers character, Alotta Fagina

[eternallyme]

Would an standalone outdoor waterpark be successful though with the short operating season?

[ServiceGuy]

Just in case you haven't found it yet... web site is here;

http://www.calypsopark.com/

Looks very cool (no pun intended) but at almost $31/day I also find admission a little steep. My concern, given I live in the area, is where are they planning on getting all the water from? There has been no mention of this in everything I've ever read about the park.

[waterloowarrior]

^ here's an article with a bit of info
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Calypso+Waterpark+ready+turn/1948779/story.html

Eighty per cent of Calypso is finished, including a “forest” of underground pipes, pumping stations and three filtration plants. There is also a desalination plant, because the water that will power Calypso comes from wells that tap into the remains of the prehistoric Champlain Sea.

Calypso was originally scheduled to open this summer, but bad weather, starting with heavy snows in 2007, forced a delay.

Drouin persevered and the park now has a supply of municipal drinking water, new roads and a municipal pumping station. Raw sewage facilities and a supply of natural gas should be in place this fall, much of it thanks to $3 million in infrastructure investments from Nation Township.

[Radster]

I wrote them an e-mail a couple months ago, asking about the camping sites they originally planned for the site, but which they do not mention on the new website. They replied in a day, saying that the campground will be built at a later phase, in 2 or 3 years after the opening.

Just drove by again yesterday, while returning from Montreal, and wow, those slides look HUGE!!!

[ServiceGuy]

I wonder how deep I'd have to go with my well to get some of that "prehistoric Champlain Sea" water. I thought sea water was salty but it can't be any worse than sulfur. :yuck:

[harls]

Salt water would be cheaper than chlorine to keep the water clean, wouldn't it? (just thinking of my neighbourhood pool where they use salty water).

I guess the salt would corrode the equipment and slides faster though.

[DubberDom]

Salt water would be cheaper than chlorine to keep the water clean, wouldn't it? (just thinking of my neighbourhood pool where they use salty water).

I guess the salt would corrode the equipment and slides faster though.

Ocean water is about 36grams per litre salt, while a salt water chlorination pool is 2-3gpl

Corrosion should not be an issue if the parts are designed for salt (galvanized steel, titanium heater cores etc.)

I've had salt water chlorination pools for a years, it should work in this application

Not sure if it would be "cheaper", because it is not, salt water is "better" and "easier"

[c_speed3108]

I guess this got built when we all were not looking :)

Limoges waterpark nearly ready for summertime fun

More than 6,000 season passes already sold for Calypso Waterpark

By David Gonczol, The Ottawa CitizenApril 6, 2010


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/2766551.bin?size=620x400

OTTAWA — April’s soaring temperatures came too soon for Canada’s largest waterpark, which is to open June 7 near Limoges, east of Ottawa.

Calypso Waterpark owner Guy Drouin says there is still some work to do at the 450-acre site and, besides, the warm breezes will likely be gone as quickly as they came.

“It won’t stay at 27 or 28 degrees. We are going to have cold weather in April and May for sure and it’s just not possible to open yet,” Drouin says.

He says he believes the $45-million facility will break even in its first year of operation, if sales of season passes and reservations from as far away as Montreal and Kingston are any indication.

More than 6,000 season passes have been sold already, with a total of between 8,000 and 10,000 season passes expected to be sold by opening day.

“People are anxious for the park to open. We had 12,000 visitors during an open house last October and it was cold and windy,” he says.

Although most of the interest comes from Ottawa, there has been a steady stream of reservations from Montreal and the Seaway Valley.

“It’s looking very good. We have more school groups reserved at Calypso than we have at my other park in Quebec City,” says Drouin, referring to Village Vacances Valcartier, his original park.

Most of Calypso has been completed since last fall. All that is left to do is landscaping and finishing touches on restaurants and the Hawaiian Beach Bar, expected to be the scene of evening concerts and dances.

When the park opens, visitors will find 80-foot long extreme-style waterslides, a half-kilometre jungle river winding past a 52,000-square-foot wave pool (the size of three National Hockey League-size rinks), a beach, restaurants, shops, splash pads and pools for toddlers, and enough picnic tables and green space for 12,000 visitors a day. Calypso’s millions of litres of water will be kept at a constant 27 C and filtered every 90 minutes — every 30 minutes in toddler areas.

The trained engineer helped design the park and he says his favourite is a ride along an elevated river that simulates a bumpy rafting experience for the entire family.

Another favourite is the Boomerango, where a raft that holds six plunges into a dark tunnel before whipping around and up a 90-degree vertical slide before splashing to a stop in a large pool.

One innovation that Drouin has brought from Valcartier will allow visitors to make purchases at restaurants or other facilities without having to carry money or cards. All they need is their fingerprint.

If they choose, a person can put funds into an account at the park, either with cash, credit card, or debit card, and then have a fingerprint recorded electronically. Then, all that is needed to make any type of purchase in the park is to have the fingerprint scanned again to access the account.

Unused cash in the account is returned when the visitor leaves the park, or it can be maintained throughout the summer.

“When you are with a bathing suit, you cannot carry a wallet or money. It’s hard to do that. If you want to buy anything you have to go back to your locker, take some money, buy something, and go back to your locker. That’s a long trip,” Drouin says.

The fingerprint payment system was developed by a Montreal company called Soft Ticket.

This winter was busy, he said, spent hiring about 75 per cent of the 500 staff required, including 125 lifeguards.

“We are surprised, but we had a very good response from people around the park and even from Ottawa,” Drouin says. “All winter long we did interviews, and it went very well.”

Some staff will start work this month, setting up hundreds of benches, tables and garbage cans and planting hundreds of flowers throughout the sprawling site.

“All the hard things have been done so now all that is left is fine tuning,” Drouin says.

The pools, slides and splash pads were filled with water last fall. Between now and opening day, that water will be filtered and heated.

The massive park will use 2,500 kilowatts to power all the fun, and there are 10,000 cubic metres of concrete sitting atop close to 25 kilometres of water piping.

The site contains 20 buildings totalling almost 53,000 square feet. The 35 waterslides would measure 2.3 kilometres if placed end to end, equalling the distance from Parliament Hill to the Vanier Parkway.
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.calypsopark.com/

[toaster]

An extension of OC Transpo Route 232 could surely service the Waterpark, I'm guessing they would just run opposite the current rides (from Downtown Ottawa to Limoges in AM, and Limoges to Ottawa in PM). Or even new bus service altogether would probably better, running from Tunney's Pasture through Blair, then on the 417 there. (Much like Toronto has several buses going to Canada's Wonderland).

[eternallyme]

An extension of OC Transpo Route 232 could surely service the Waterpark, I'm guessing they would just run opposite the current rides (from Downtown Ottawa to Limoges in AM, and Limoges to Ottawa in PM). Or even new bus service altogether would probably better, running from Tunney's Pasture through Blair, then on the 417 there. (Much like Toronto has several buses going to Canada's Wonderland).

Great idea - except that such would require approval and funding from the Municipality of The Nation and perhaps the Township of Russell. (Although my idea of a metropolitan transit authority would make such possible)

[waterloowarrior]

Opening is next week Monday!

[eternallyme]

If successful, they should add an indoor area to make year-round operation possible...as opposed to the short seasons in our climate (2-4 months)

[waterloowarrior]

Big article in the Globe today
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/your-business/start/location/introducing-the-biggest-outdoor-water-park-in-canada/article1598930/

http://beta.images.theglobeandmail.com/archive/00695/calypso_water_pa_695543artw.jpg

[aesthetic]

Just noticed on the Calypso site that they have a flickr photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/calypsoparc/) for the park including the construction pictures and the final product.

Some images:

Calypso Palace
http://i49.tinypic.com/20jnswl.jpg

Zoo Lagoon
http://i50.tinypic.com/11jlv2o.jpg

Jungle Run
http://i50.tinypic.com/e3jad.jpg

And here's a blog post (http://danigirl.ca/blog/2010/06/12/calypso-water-park-one-word-review-wheeeeeeeeeeee/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+danigirl/akVU+%28Postcards+from+the+Mothership%29) with some pictures of the park.

[harls]

I've seen the new commercials out for this place now, looks like they spent a little more money on production value than your regular local establishment (all I can think about is those lame Newlook commercials with JJ Clarke and what's her face from A-Channel).

[harls]

..also, I noticed they have two slightly different commercials,

- one for the Ottawa market, where they describe the location as '20 minutes east of Ottawa' and 'Highway 417 east, exit 79'

- one for the Montreal market, where they describe the location as ' 90 minutes west of Montreal' and 'Highway 40 west, exit 79'

The Montreal ad sort of strikes me as bizarre.. are they trying to make people feel believe it's actually closer to the city than it is? ("hey, it's still on the 40, so it can't be that far?")

I noticed they don't make any mention of Limoges or Ontario in either ad, either.

[eternallyme]

..also, I noticed they have two slightly different commercials,

- one for the Ottawa market, where they describe the location as '20 minutes east of Ottawa' and 'Highway 417 east, exit 79'

- one for the Montreal market, where they describe the location as ' 90 minutes west of Montreal' and 'Highway 40 west, exit 79'

The Montreal ad sort of strikes me as bizarre.. are they trying to make people feel believe it's actually closer to the city than it is? ("hey, it's still on the 40, so it can't be that far?")

I noticed they don't make any mention of Limoges or Ontario in either ad, either.

There is no Exit 79 on the 40, and if there was, it would be right in Montreal just before the 25 interchange. I'm sure everyone would realize the truth.

[harls]

^ I know, that's why I found it a little bizarre.

I heard Calypso has had something like 100,000 visitors in only one month of business... that is crazy. Meanwhile Mont-Cascades is slashing prices to 10 bucks per person to compete (compared to $30 for Calypso). A friend of mine went during the heat wave and she said she waited 6 hours to go on 2 slides. :koko:

[IntoTheCore]

^ I know, that's why I found it a little bizarre.

I heard Calypso has had something like 100,000 visitors in only one month of business... that is crazy. Meanwhile Mont-Cascades is slashing prices to 10 bucks per person to compete (compared to $30 for Calypso). A friend of mine went during the heat wave and she said she waited 6 hours to go on 2 slides. :koko:

My wife and I went out there on the 4th -- an extremely hot day -- and it was crazy busy. We arrived around 11AM and had to wait in line for 45 minutes just to buy tickets. Over the course of five hours, I managed to get in five rides -- lots of time spent in line. However, the rides were all fantastic; my favourite was Adrenaline, a dark and fast ride, a great way to end the day.

There are some areas that definitely need improvement though:

- Some of the equipment in the concession stands (drink machines, ice cream, etc.) broke down well before the end of the day. All of the soda machines throughout the park were out of order.

- They really need to get their young employees in line. Some of the concession stand workers were complaining loudly about how they are treated, while some of the lifeguards were more interested in flirting rather than paying attention to swimmers (especially in the Jungle Run). My wife noted that for many of these employees, it's their first job, and they need some supervision. For the ones who were complaining, where else would you be working if the park wasn't there?

- Beware when buying tickets at the entrance: there are two sets of ticket windows with separate lines. However, the one on the left has ten windows, while the one on the right only has seven (one being reserved for season ticket buyers). Nobody seemed to realize this, so equal numbers went to both lines; we probably would've saved 10-15 minutes had we known.

We'll give them the summer to iron out the kinks, then head back next year on a (hopefully) less busy day. Next time, we'll definitely remember to pack a lunch and lots of water -- kudos on the park for allowing people to bring food in freely.

[adam-machiavelli]

Regarding the post above:

If staff are unhappy, perhaps management should treat their employees better. Just because staff are young and inexperienced, and local job prospects are limited doesn't mean management should be free to treat them like dirt. Maybe their complaints weren't "out of line" but part of a concerted strategy to raise public awareness of poor working conditions.

[reidjr]

Regarding the post above:

If staff are unhappy, perhaps management should treat their employees better. Just because staff are young and inexperienced, and local job prospects are limited doesn't mean management she be free to treat them like dirt. Maybe their complaints weren't "out of line" but part of a concerted strategy to raise public awareness of poor working conditions.

You have to be careful when you hear young people complain yes some time its a legit reason.However some times its not and it comes down to some not wanting to work hard they just want to put in there hours with not doing anything above what there job calls for.I have worked with young people in the past and some of them did complain for really no reason.I am not saying that is the case with the water park but don't just assume its bad because some here some of them complaining.

[fireicedog]

Here are a couple aerial pics:

http://www.ottawapilots.ca/gallery/18_28_04_10_1_22_08.jpeg
by viennatech from: http://www.ottawapilots.ca

http://www.ottawapilots.ca/gallery/2_16_06_10_9_44_24.jpeg
by M Philippe from: http://www.ottawapilots.ca

Overall, not quite as big as I thought it'd be. Except for that wave pool, which is HUGE!

[IntoTheCore]

Regarding the post above:

If staff are unhappy, perhaps management should treat their employees better. Just because staff are young and inexperienced, and local job prospects are limited doesn't mean management she be free to treat them like dirt. Maybe their complaints weren't "out of line" but part of a concerted strategy to raise public awareness of poor working conditions.

That is a possibility, but my wife characterized their comments more as standard complaints rather than anything specifically harsh, immoral, or illegal. You are absolutely correct that they should not be treated like dirt, if that is the situation.

In any case, both management and the employees need to get together to stomp this out as it does not reflect well on the company as a whole. Just like OC Transpo, right? :)

PS- Speaking of OC Transpo, I heartily concur with past suggestions that they start running shuttles out to the park. I'm pretty sure many people would take advantage.

[adam-machiavelli]

I agree with the two people who responded to my comments. Complaints could be the result of both immaturity and needing to iron out some kinks that inevitably come up with a major new attraction.

I also agree with the need for an OCTranspo bus. That parking lot is perversely huge.

[MaxHeadroom]

Wouldn't OCT need permission from Prescott Russell to run buses or other approvals since it's outside of city limits?

Also the bus fare would probably be the same as rural expre$$, so I can't see many people opting to take the bus when they can pile three or four people in a car and park for much less.

[toaster]

Wouldn't OCT need permission from Prescott Russell to run buses or other approvals since it's outside of city limits?

Also the bus fare would probably be the same as rural expre$$, so I can't see many people opting to take the bus when they can pile three or four people in a car and park for much less.
I'm thinking mostly students or young adults without access to a vehicle would probably be the ones taking the bus there, or even teenagers who want to go while their parents are working. I couldn't see a traditional family of 4 opting for the bus to go all the way there.

[eternallyme]

If successful, they should build an indoor waterpark on their site to make it a year-round business...

As for transit, yes I agree that transit access should be provided, but it would be outside OC Transpo jurisdiction lying outside city limits. One more reason to support a regional transit authority.

[waterloowarrior]

Barrhaven will have to be patient in water park wait
Posted Aug 12, 2010
BY STEPH WILLEMS
http://www.emcbarrhaven.ca/20100812/news/Barrhaven+will+have+to+be+patient+in+water+park+wait

Steph Willems, Nepean
Barrhaven EMC

EMC News - In a cruel twist of fate, Barrhaven residents have last summer's dismal weather to blame for the lack of a nearby water park to help them escape this summer's torrid heat.

The Summer That Wasn't (2009), coupled with the economic meltdown that afflicted North America, put the brakes on ProSlide Technology's proposed Alottawata water park on Moodie Dr. near Bankfield Rd. in Ottawa's south end.

Originally planned to open in 2009, the 100-acre park is now scheduled to open in time for summer 2012. Residents have been eagerly awaiting the opening day, as the location of this park puts it within a short drive from Nepean, Barrhaven and Kanata. Until Alottawata opens, the nearest water park is Calypso in Limoges, 35 minutes southeast of Orléans.

Because of last year's weather and economic environment, ProSlide representatives said they aren't upset that their completion date was pushed back.

"It works out better for us to open in 2012," said Tara Casey, director of marketing at ProSlide.

The company plans to prep the site in the meantime so that the water park exudes a distinctly 'park-like' atmosphere for the families who will visit.

"We're planting over 3,000 trees on the site right now, building the lazy river and other stuff so that we're ready," said Ms. Casey.

The location of the site is something that ProSlide is proud of. President and CEO Rick Hunter looked for the appropriate land to locate the park for years before signing the deal for the 100 acres on Moodie Dr.

"We wanted something central, something close to the city so people don't have to drive too far," said Ms. Casey. "We have an amazing location - it's perfect."

The company plans to start off by developing about 40 acres of the site with their signature rides, and then expand continuously after that. ProSlide owns one other Ottawa-area water park located at Mont-Cascades, but shares its expertise with water parks around the globe, including Six Flags and Disneyland.

The park will feature restaurants and shaded picnic areas so that families can make a day of it, and the company also plans to keep pricing competitive, likely less than other parks.

[c_speed3108]

Well over expectations....

Calypso exceeds attendance expectations by 25%

Jim Donnelly
Ottawa Business Journal

Click here to find out more!

Calypso Waterpark has exceeded its own attendance expectations in its first season by more than 25 per cent, the company said in a release this week.

The park, which launched June 7, made headlines this summer for drawing around 100,000 visitors within its first month of operations.

Ontario Provincial Police officers were even stationed at times to direct traffic in the park's vicinity as it backed onto the highway.

“It’s been beyond our expectations,” said Ginette Robert, vice-president of marketing at Calypso owner Groupe Village Vacances Valcartier, in an OBJ interview in July.

When contacted, the company – which owns another water park near its corporate headquarters in Quebec City – refused to elaborate on its end-of-season results.

However during the same interview in July, Ms. Robert said plans to expand the footprint of the water park with more attractions, restaurants and another tubing river are in the works.

The company said it is currently selling season memberships for its 2011 season, which will also include a day pass to its Quebec-based operation.

Calypso is located near Limoges, Ont. and currently spans more than 100 acres, with more than 35 water slides. Its final day of operations is Labour Day, Sept. 6.

Its planned competitor, ProSlide Technologies-backed Alottawata, recently pushed back its opening date to 2012.

- With files from Peter Kovessy


and related:


Water wars: Calypso rival pushes back opening to 2012

Peter Kovessy
Ottawa Business Journal

As roughly 100,000 visitors cooled off at Calypso during the water park’s first month of operation, a prospective competitor says work continues at his Barrhaven site in preparation for a 2012 opening.

Like Calypso, Alottawata Water Park was originally slated to launch in 2009. Both facilities subsequently pushed back their opening dates to 2010.

But as Calypso officials work to solve the problem of cars backing up for kilometres on Highway 417 – each one eagerly awaiting entrance to the facility's parking lot – workers at the Alottawata site off Highway 416 are planting trees, digging ponds and raising the site’s grade.

“I didn’t think it was prudent to have the world economy (in its current state) and then have two parks opening (in the Ottawa area) at the same time. We didn’t think it was in our best interest,” says Rick Hunter, president and CEO of Ottawa-based ProSlide Technologies.

The company behind Alottawata also owns Mont Cascades just north of Gatineau and specializes in the design, engineering and manufacturing of fibreglass water rides.

When plans for the two parks were first announced, Mr. Hunter downplayed questions about the market’s ability to support two new water parks. He now says the staggered openings will be good for business.

“This is even better … we’re feeling very, very good about our timing,” he says.

“Let the parade go by.”

But as Ottawa shattered temperature records during last week’s heat wave, the large crowds descending on Calypso looked more like a stampede than a parade at times.

Ontario Provincial Police officers were even stationed at times to direct traffic as it backed onto the highway.

“It’s been beyond our expectations,” says Ginette Robert, the vice-president of marketing at Village Vacances Valcartier, which owns Calypso and another park near its corporate headquarters in the Quebec City area.

She says marketing campaigns targeting the areas in and around Montreal, Mont Tremblant, Cornwall and Ottawa-Gatineau helped draw roughly 100,000 visitors to the water park in its first month.

That likely contributed to the softening in the volume of walk-up visitors to Mont Cascades, says Mr. Hunter. However, he says the number of school and group bookings remain constant.

Mr. Hunter believes Calypso is vulnerable on admission pricing and says Mont Cascades will offer special deals targeted at families, coinciding with the park’s 20th anniversary.

An adult day pass is $30.97 at Calypso and $10 at Mont Cascades, according to their respective websites.

Mr. Hunter says Alottawata’s close proximity to Ottawa’s population centres, as well as the quality of rides, will make it a success when it launches.

However, Ms. Robert says future phases, including more attractions, restaurants and another tubing river, are in the works. So far, she says, the company has spent $45 million developing approximately 100 acres of the company’s 545-acre site.

A campground was planned to open in time for 2012 season, but Ms. Robert says the expansion schedule may be revisited at the end of this season.

“We were not expecting it to be a success so soon.”

[eternallyme]

Suggestion for Calypso: they should build a smaller indoor waterpark on or near the existing site, to allow for year-round operation as opposed to operation just 2-3 months a year and reliant on weather.

[reidjr]

On the ctv ottawa last night there was a story on a new retail complex beeing built next to the water park.I can't find any details online does anyone know anything about this.

[Acajack]

On the ctv ottawa last night there was a story on a new retail complex beeing built next to the water park.I can't find any details online does anyone know anything about this.

Articles in French on this:

http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/ottawa/2010/10/26/001-desjardins-entrepots-limoges.shtml

http://www.journallanouvelle.ca/Actualites/2010-10-26/article-1887526/Limoges-aura-son-projet-de-developpement-commercial/1

[reidjr]

There was a story covering it in the citizen today for anyone who is interested.

Highlights
Part of the complex will feature factory outlets.
Hotel and resturants
Gas Station
Medical Clinc & Drug Store
5-7 Years to complete
High end driving range and mini put under way.

[eternallyme]

Factory outlets would be a first in the Ottawa area. That would be interesting for sure.

[Cre47]

Calypso Waterpark to offer tallest free-standing waterslide tower


The Ottawa Citizen November 4, 2010 12:38 PM Comments (4)


OTTAWA — The Calypso Theme Waterpark near Limoges will offer what it says will be North America’s tallest free-standing waterslide tower at 90 feet next summer as part of $5 million investment in additional attractions.

“The addition of this new aquatic complex stems from the tremendous success we’ve had this past year,’’ says Guy Drouin, president and general manager. “In fact, we’ve exceeded our objectives by over 25 per cent for the 2010 summer season.’’

He said the 10 waterslides will be in the single tower. At the top of the 28-metre tower will be four distinct high-speed waterslides: two will be accessible using toboggan boats, each seating four people single-file, while the two others will feature double tubes.

About halfway up the tower, at 17 metres), customers will be able to access two AquaLoop slides.

Bathers will start off in a closed-off section featuring a drop floor. At the signal, the floor will open, “launching them into a vertical drop”, before continuing on a roller coaster-like trajectory that includes a 2.5G centrifugal loop.

Lastly, four coiled slides designed for the family, featuring translucent and closed-off sections, will be accessible at nine metres.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

[ServiceGuy]

Here's a vid of the new slide in another water park...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P6InoEhHcQ&feature=player_embedded

[O-Town Hockey]

Figured this one needs to be right on the thread....it looks ridiculous!

-P6InoEhHcQ

[ServiceGuy]

....it looks ridiculous!
The ride... our HIS Speedo? :haha:

[O-Town Hockey]

The ride... our HIS Speedo? :haha:

Both!

http://jeannie-ology.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/banana_hammock2.jpg

[waterloowarrior]

You can explore Calypso on Streetview!
http://goo.gl/maps/bJpsl

[Cre47]

I'm not sure there is a thread for the planned Barrhaven water park, but not sure that Allottawata will be a reality since it's planned opening date has kept been pushed and pushed back. Now sounds like 2014 only according to OBJ (but that was last April) and nothing new since.

http://www.obj.ca/Local/Sports-and-entertainment/2012-04-03/article-2945872/Barrhaven-water-park-not-adrift,-owner-says/1

[J.OT13]

I'm not sure there is a thread for the planned Barrhaven water park, but not sure that Allottawata will be a reality since it's planned opening date has kept been pushed and pushed back. Now sounds like 2014 only according to OBJ (but that was last April) and nothing new since.

http://www.obj.ca/Local/Sports-and-entertainment/2012-04-03/article-2945872/Barrhaven-water-park-not-adrift,-owner-says/1

We already have Mont-Cascade and Calypso, why do we need a third one. Bring on a full fleged amusement park like La Ronde and Wonderland.

[eternallyme]

We already have Mont-Cascade and Calypso, why do we need a third one. Bring on a full fleged amusement park like La Ronde and Wonderland.

I agree, they would be asking for failure.

As for such an amusement park, could Calypso expand (perhaps across the 417 with a pedestrian overpass) and build one themselves?

[harls]

Isn't Calypso a madhouse every weekend, or has the initial waterslide euphoria worn off?

I remember when it opened - a friend of mine from Montreal said she spent more time waiting in lineups than on the slides. That doesn't sound like fun.

[Cre47]

We already have Mont-Cascade and Calypso, why do we need a third one. Bring on a full fleged amusement park like La Ronde and Wonderland.

Exact this is probably what they should instead built IMO instead of a third waterpark in the region

[c_speed3108]

I agree, they would be asking for failure.

As for such an amusement park, could Calypso expand (perhaps across the 417 with a pedestrian overpass) and build one themselves?

https://maps.google.com/?ll=45.313529,-75.217681&spn=0.024204,0.032701&t=h&z=15

There is tons of room around there to expand. No need for expensive bridges. This is not a high density area by any stretch!