Kids have more room to splash into Okanagan lakes with Wibit this summer

Jumping and sliding into Okanagan lakes will be done with safe distancing this summer at the Wibit Water Parks.

Owner Rylie Gallagher was overseeing the final touches of setting up the Kelowna operation today, June 29, with the hope if opening tomorrow but definitely for July 1 on Wednesday.

“We’re starting at 50 per cent capacity,” he told iNFOnews. “If we find 50 per cent is too challenging, we’ll reduce it.”

That means there will be a maximum of only 75 people on the Kelowna structure at any one time.

This is the seventh year he’s run the inflatable water park off City Park in Kelowna. Normally he likes to open about a week before schools close but with COVID-19, it’s a bit of a slower opening.

Children can come to play as young as five years old. They will be briefed on proper COVID-19 etiquette before wading and swimming out to the playground. There will be three to five guards on site at all times to make sure social distancing rules are followed.

This year’s Kelowna structure is the same as in 2019 but it will be expanded throughout the summer, Gallagher said.

Even with only 50 per cent capacity, Gallagher hasn’t boosted the $28 full day admission fee, which drops to $18 after 5:30 p.m.

“We hope to break even this year,” he said. “We just wanted to show that we’re still here and keep some of our employees working.”

Wibit also has locations in Osoyoos, Penticton and Peachland.

For more information check out the company's website here.

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