An inflatable water park could be coming to Erieau Beach.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff and South Kent Councillor Ryan Doyle made the announcement via social media Wednesday in a pre-recorded video, saying there's a "new opportunity" coming to the community and it's going to be happening at the beach in Erieau.
Mayor Canniff told CK News Today the idea is to have it up and running by next month, if everything goes according to plan.
"We think you'll be just as excited about it as we are," said Canniff.
The proposal is called Aqua City and the owners/operators, Sam and Michael Fife, told Doyle during the announcement that the park will have a series of obstacles, including slides and trampolines, citing it could be the first water park of its kind in Southwestern Ontario.
Mayor Canniff said the project will still need approval from Council if zoning or bylaw amendments are required, but doesn't foresee any major hurdles.
Fife, a Chatham native, said the big beach in Erieau is perfect for the water park.
Another Aqua City proposal for Colchester Beach near Harrow in the Town of Essex was shot down by their town council last week.
Essex Town officials asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry if the water park is permitted, and after months of research, it confirmed it was permissible.
A presentation at Essex Town Council revealed Aqua City will need a barge to put concrete weights on the floor of Lake Erie so it can anchor the inflatables and buoys. The buoys will mark the perimeter of the park and chains will secure the inflatables so they don’t float away, but they could be removed if needed.
The company also told Essex Town Council it would need a tent on the beachfront to register patrons, store equipment, and hold safety briefings. It would also house emergency phone equipment and first aid equipment.
Canniff said the owners have told him that safety is paramount at the water park.
All participants must wear a life jacket inside the park and children under five won’t be allowed in, and an adult must accompany children under ten.
