Thrill seekers rejoice, the largest waterslide in Western Canada is now open at Big Splash Water Park in Tsawwassen.
Daredevils who ride the Boomerango plunge six storeys in a two-person tube before being shot up a vertical wall and “boomeranging” back down at epic speeds.
The Boomerango wasn’t open on a recent weekend when I visited with some family, including eight-year old Carter who I brought on as my official water slide reviewer of Big Splash. And that’s probably just as well, because this grandma was quite happy not to see her grandson plummet six storeys.
But Carter rode all of the other 13 slides, including the Kamikaze, Cliff Hanger, Splash Blaster, Twist and Shout and the Solar Splash — also known as the “black hole.” The Kids Zone, ideal for younger children, includes several small slides/ramps, the Splash Pad and the main pool where adults and kids of all ages could cool off.
Because my Victoria-based son was joined by a small army made up of his friends and their kids, we took advantage of one of the cabanas available to rent and used it as a shady spot to keep the baby out of the sun, to reapply sunscreen to anyone we could catch running by and for eating lunch and snacks.
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
- There is no outside food or drink allowed, but there are plenty of options for eating, including BV’s Sports Bar, which serves wine, beer and frozen cocktails as well as pub-style food including burgers, fish and chips and pizza. We shared two pizzas at our cabana with the gang and everyone agreed they were great — except for that one kid who doesn’t eat vegetables. You can also feed kids from the Big Splash Grill and Candy Café. Don’t let the name fool you, besides ice cream the Candy Café also sells salads and fruit and veggie plates.
- Cabanas are available to rent starting at $75, and patio and picnic tables with an umbrella cost $15 for the day — you can reserve cabanas and tables ahead of time so you won’t be disappointed. Lockers with keys are available for $5 with a $10 deposit. Our cabana came with a large umbrella, two lounge chairs, two patio-style chairs and a table, four towels, four bottles of water and fruit, so if you’re with a group it’s well worth the cost.
- Entertainment: DJ Alibaba is there on Saturdays and while we were there played everything from disco to hip hop to pop and rock.
- Cost: Ages four and older cost $28 plus tax for the day. Children three and under must be accompanied by a paying adult. A Twilight Pass, from 4 p.m. to closing is $17 plus tax.
- Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Parking: $5 plus tax for the day.
- Getting there: Big Splash is five minutes from the B.C. Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen, so for my family coming from the island, it’s an easy location to get to. If you’re travelling from Vancouver, you can take the SkyTrain to the River Rock Casino/Bridgeport station and grab a free shuttle to the park, which is located at just off Highway 17 — you must have pre-purchased your tickets online to take the shuttle.
The Courier also had a few questions for general manager Harold Frederiks about the vision for the park:
There were a lot of disappointed people when it was announced Splashdown Park would close. What made your group decide to invest in this water park and save the day?
Exactly that, they heard the disappointment and wanted to invest in the community by investing in the waterpark, future hotel and housing development.
You’ve added a Las Vegas-style cabana program and DJ, so it looks like a move to attract young adults. Is that the case?
We want to be more of an all-ages experience.
But still family friendly?
Yes.
Why Tsawwassen?
The park was already here, it just needed some loving.
Are there plans to build a hotel or resort on the property?
Yes, the hotel is still in the planning.
Do you have a favourite slide?
Boomerango!
sthomas@vancourier.com
@sthomas10
