Repairs are now underway at Cultus Lake Waterpark following an electrical incident earlier this month that sent a dozen children to hospital. The park’s closure has been extended as management works through regulatory approvals.
Management statement on repairs and reopening
In a statement posted on the water park’s website this week, management said they were “continuing to work through the inspection and approval process with Technical Safety B.C.” The notice added, “Although we are targeting a reopening in the second half of July, tickets are not currently available.” As a result, ticket sales have been suspended and all current ticket holders will receive refunds.
“Once a reopening date, operating hours, and ticket options have been finalized, new tickets will be released for purchase,” the notice read. The message concluded by thanking patrons for their “patience and understanding as we complete the remaining inspections, repairs, and receive regulatory approvals.”
Details of the electrical incident
Earlier this month, the park’s chief administrative officer Andrew Steunenberg said the children appear to have been injured while in contact with a metal hand railing at the base of the Zero-60 Raceway ride. The dozen injured children were students of Port Coquitlam’s Minnekhada Middle School, aged 12 and 13, who were at the water park as part of a year-end field trip.
Ten of the 12 were sent to Abbotsford Hospital, while two children who became unconscious were flown to B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Police confirmed all 12 sustained serious injuries but were in stable condition. At least four were discharged in the week following the incident; no updates were immediately available on the status of the remaining children.
Investigation and next steps
It remains unclear when the Technical Safety B.C. investigation concluded and what the timeline is for repairs. Postmedia has reached out to TSBC for more information. The water park’s management continues to work through inspections and repairs before regulatory approvals can be granted.
