Despite a few councillors having concerns due to safety issues, Chatham-Kent council approved the concept of having a floating water park at Erieau beach this summer.
The inflatable park would be installed at the beach a few hundred feet from the shoreline. The company behind the water park, Aqua City, said it will consist of a series of obstacle courses, slides, trampolines and other activities that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups.
Aqua City’s Dr. Michael Fyfe said the water park will hire 10-15 people for the upcoming summer. He added, the company will have a safety-first directive.
The motion outlined the Aqua City proposal and included council authorizing the general manager of infrastructure and engineering services to negotiate and approve a lease and profit-sharing agreement with Aqua City.
The motion passed by an 11-4 vote.
Councillor Allison Storey said she couldn’t vote in favour of the water park, and wanted to make sure there was a detailed security and safety plan in place first.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said he’s confident that the company will have a safety plan for their insurance and will have one prior to their opening, as will be required. He said if Chatham-Kent waits, they could lose out on the opportunity if they’re not nimble.
There was initially some pushback from Erieau residents when the idea of having Aqua City at the Erieau beach, but councillor Ryan Doyle said after having a meeting in Erieau, many residents changed their minds and came on board with the idea of having a water park on their beach.
C.M. Wilson Conservation Area near Chatham was floated as an alternative choice for Aqua City if the Erieau Beach site wasn’t feasible, but at the council meeting, Doyle said there would be water quality issues with the conservation area, especially in the months of July and August.
Federal and provincial requirements must still be met before opening. Doyle said he hopes approvals can be reached in the upcoming month with a possible opening in late June or early July.
The company recently proposed installing the same inflatable water park at Colchester Beach in Essex. However, the town’s council voted against entering into a lease agreement with Aqua City, citing vocal opposition from residents, safety concerns, and parking shortages.
