Province looking into Calypso Waterpark safety

Calypso Water Park (Courtesy: Calypso Theme Waterpark Limoges Canada)

Canada’s largest water park isn't only the subject of many days out with friends and family, but also a provincial investigation into safety concerns.

A June crash on a waterslide at Limoges’ Calypso Waterpark sent two people to hospital after one inflatable sled crashed into another.

“We hit them with such force, it was like hitting a brick wall,” said Suzanne Knelsen, whose husband was one of those taken to hospital.

“I just remember looking to the left where my husband was and just seeing he was covered in blood.”

Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) said it’s received a “significant” number of safety complaints against Calypso in the six weeks since that incident.

“When incidents occur in a public venue . . . I think the public becomes rightfully concerned if the operator is following safety protocol,” said TSSA spokesperson Wilson Lee.

The organization started a safety inspection against the park, which was still ongoing and which only became public after more than a dozen kids were hospitalized Tuesday after being exposed to chlorine gas.

Calypso’s executive vice-president said the park is safe.

“Safety is our top priority," said Sylvain Lauzon. "We fully comply with everything, every regulation.”

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro