Spray parks and wading pools open in the summer instead of spring for several reasons. Despite being winterized each fall, these outdoor facilities are directly exposed to the freeze/thaw cycle of Calgary's harsh winter weather. Once the ground thaws, crews inspect each spray park and wading pool and require time to complete any repairs before opening for the season. Crews start filling the systems with water after repairs are complete. This step can reveal if there are any additional repairs needed. Once a spray park or wading pool is running normally, pool chemicals are added, and the water is heated. Finally, Alberta Health Services completes site inspections, and the water quality is tested to make sure spray parks and wading pools meet regulatory health and safety standards prior to opening for the season. 

To maintain healthy pool water at City spray parks and wading pools, the water is regularly monitored and water samples submitted as required to ensure we are operating within regulatory parameters throughout the season. If a test indicates that the water is no longer meeting regulatory standards, we shut down the amenity, investigate the cause, address the issue (which can involve thorough cleaning and the addition of necessary chemicals to the water) and re-test the water. Once we receive a water test that indicates that the facility is meeting Alberta Health Services standards, then we re-open the facility.

For our spray parks and wading pools to be ready to use next spring, a list of pre-winter maintenance and winterization activities must take place at all The City spray parks and wading pools before freezing temperatures arrive. The spray park water pipes, in particular, are very close to the surface meaning that it doesn’t need to be cold for very long before there is a risk of damage which is why they need to be winterized in advance.