WINNIPEG - June 30, 2008 – Committed to the provision of recreation and leisure services in Winnipeg, Mayor Sam Katz and Doug Martindale, MLA for Burrows, officially opened a new spray park today at the Norquay Community Centre, 65 Granville Street.

"This multi-feature splash park represents our significant reinvestment into modern and improved facilities for Winnipeggers to enjoy," said Mayor Sam Katz. "This spray park meets the needs of our Point Douglas families and provides a positive attraction for our children."

"I am pleased we could be part of a series of wonderful announcements for these new water spray facilities and to see the efforts of all the community and government partners come to fruition," said MLA Martindale. "These projects will promote outdoor activity and recreation options that are a great match with Manitoba’s Healthy Living initiative."

The Norquay spray park combines a wading pool with a spray pad, featuring several colourful interactive water jets and cannons. A spray pad portion of the spray park is a zero-depth aquatic play structure. It is fully accessible and provides a place where children of all ages and abilities can safely and freely play together. The colourful interactive features give the park a visually exciting character, offering a unique water play experience for all of its users.

The spray park at the Norquay Community Centre joins four other newly opened spray pads located at the Provencher Park, Fort Rouge Park, River Heights Community Centre and St. Norbert Community Centre. These new aquatic play areas give kids fun new ways for staying cool in the summer heat.

The cost of the Norquay spray park is $600,000, adding up to a total of $1,640,000 for all five projects. Funding for the outdoor aquatic play areas was provided by the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg under the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program.

For hours of operation and service of all City of Winnipeg aquatic facilities, please visit: http://winnipeg.ca and click on ‘communities’ and ‘pools’.

For more information contact:
Carmen Barnett, Press Secretary
Mayor’s Office, 510 Main Street
PH: 311