Winnipeg council agrees to plunge $7M into water-park project

Winnipeg city council gave the green light Wednesday to spending $7 million to leverage enough private investment to build a water park in the city.

Mayor Sam Katz and council voted today to allocate $7 million toward such a project, on condition that a suitable private investor is found to cover the remaining costs.

The city will almost immediately issue a call for developers and investors to submit proposals for construction, financing and operation of a water park to be owned and run privately, while open for public use.

Only one councillor votedagainst the plan.

Elmwood-East Kildonan Coun. Lillian Thomas said she couldn't support money being taken away from Kildonan Park to support a water park that could end up in a far-flung suburb.

The $7 million to fund the water-park project would come from a $9-million fund the city had planned to use to upgrade pool facilities at Kildonan Park into an "urban oasis."

However, escalating construction costs meant the city could not afford to make the desired improvements within the project's allotted budget, according to city documents.

Katz described the situation as a compromise, noting that some money will still be spent to upgrade the Kildonan Park facilities.

The revamped plan for Kildonan Park calls for the city to spend at least $2 million to redevelop the park's pool, and an additional $813,000 to develop a splash park.

Coun. Harvey Smith said he's excited about the idea of a water park and he hopes it will be accessible to Winnipeggers.

Katz said many of the questions councillors might have about the park will be answered when the private sector comes forward with proposals.

Canad Inns owner wants in

At least one developer Canad Inns hotel owner Leo Ledohowski has expressed interest in the scheme.Ledohowski has previously made unsuccessfulproposals for water parks combined with football stadiums in the St. Boniface neighbourhood and in Headingley, just west of Winnipeg.

The city would require a developer to enter an agreement that would guarantee public access to the privately owned and operated facility for 25 years, among other conditions, according to a report on the matter.

Winnipeggers have been mulling over proposals for an indoor water park in the city for years. Katz has estimated a water park would cost between $25 million and $35 million.

The proposed schedule for the project would have the city select a developer by spring 2008, and see the water park operational by late fall 2009.