New inflatable floating waterpark opens for summer near Raymond

There's a new way to beat the summer heat in southern Alberta. An inflatable floating waterpark has opened near Raymond that is fit for all ages.

A new summer attraction designed to help cool off in the heat has been inflated in Raymond.

Breezy Bay Waterpark opened for its first-ever season on Friday.

The floating, inflated waterpark is equipped with slides, floating platforms, a trampoline, monkey bars and a launchpad.

“We liked the Raymond area because it’s very central to southern Alberta,” said Jeff Birch, co-owner of Breezy Bay.

“It’s not a far drive from Cardston, it’s not a far drive from Taber, the border is just down the highway (and) Lethbridge is very close, so it was a really good central location to call in people from all areas of southern Alberta.”

The inflatable waterpark is on Corner Lake at the Perrett Park Campground.

Breezy Bay and Golden Atlantis Aqua Park near Medicine Hat are the only two inflatable waterparks in southern Alberta.

“B.C. has lots. Ontario has lots. We know several people that frequently go to one out in B.C. and so we thought, ‘Why wouldn’t one be successful here?’” said Birch.

“I think people that have enjoyed these parks in other places are excited to have one here locally.”

The giant water adventure can hold 155 people at a time.

Waterpark enthusiasts can book a session time online to visit the park.

“We want everyone to book online because we don’t want someone to drive in from Cardston and get here and realize it’s full and they just wasted half their day,” said Birch.

The sessions range from 90 minutes to two hours and run throughout the day until September.

“When a session first starts, we get everyone checked in, make sure all waivers are checked, we give them a wristband, help them get fitted with a life jacket and then we let them swim out there,” said Kiana Card, head lifeguard at Breezy Bay.

Extensive preparations for the grand opening took more than a week, according to Birch.

“There’s about 65,000 pounds of cement blocks underwater that are spread strategically underneath,” he said.

“From there, the park is inflated piece by piece and it’s taken out and assembled on the water and requires a diver to connect the chains to those blocks underneath.”

While the park just opened, Birch says community feedback so far has been positive.

“We’ve had a lot of groups reach out, a lot of people show interest that we didn’t even think would be interested in it,” he said.

“It’s come a long way. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it and we’re super excited to offer something fun to families here in southern Alberta.”