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WATCH: Heat warning means these parks are some of the most popular in town

Spray parks may be just what you need

  • Some of the best places to cool off
  • Why these are among your go to locations as the heat kicks in

Given the heat warning from Environment Canada, with temperatures expected to rise to between 35C and 40C, here are three great places in Kelowna to stay cool.

Take a look at our original story.

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If last summer’s heat dome is any indication of the heat that can occur in the Okanagan, the spray parks in Kelowna will surely be a hot spot for cooling down.

As summer approaches, people will be out enjoying the beach, the pool, and the three waterparks in the city: City Park Waterpark, Ben Lee Waterpark, and Quilchena Splash Park.

Facility Maintenance Coordinator for the City of Kelowna, Kyle Potocky, told Kelowna10 there is key work done during the winter to make sure everything stays in working order.

“We blow it out like your irrigation system, cap off any of the spray features that would allow water to enter the system and possibly freeze and damage pipes,” he said. “After winter, we have to fire up the water [and] clean the facility by pressure washing everything down.“

Potocky said there is a lot of preparation at Ben Lee Waterpark in particular.

“This spray park is chemically treated so we do have to balance the chemicals,” he said. “Quilchena and City Waterpark are freshwater, so they aren’t recirculated.”

He said the team ensures all the chemicals are tested before they open the parks and chlorine is used as a disinfectant every four hours.

Debris is also cleaned from the air basket before it gets to the main pump to make sure nothing unusual is sprayed when the nozzles are turned on.

For Potocky, one of the best parts of his job is seeing all the kids enjoying the park after it opens each day.

“You’re almost a hero, they all cheer for you as you unlock the gates,” he explained. “Maybe not so much for the guy at the end of the night who has to shut it down.”

More information on all three parks can be found on the city’s website.

Published 2022-05-23 by Connor Chan

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