Prince Albert, Sask., reopens water park following Husky oil spill

After sitting empty and idle for weeks, the sound of children laughing and playing will return to the newly renovated Kinsmen Water Park in Prince Albert, Sask., after the park reopened Friday.

Following theHusky Energy oil spill into the North Saskatchewan River in July, the City of Prince Albert declared a state of emergency and imposed serious water restrictions for residents and businesses. Local car washes and laundromats were asked to close until the city could shore up alternative sources of water.

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Earlier this week, the city reported it was starting to receive treatable water from a 30-kilometre waterline feeding water from the South Saskatchewan River and another waterline from the Little Red River. The city was also drawing water from its storm retention pond. All three alternative sources of water have been feeding the city's water treatment plant this week and regular water service has returned for residents, businesses and customers of the rural water authority.

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On Friday, the the city approved the opening of the city's water park, starting at 1 p.m.

In a media statement, the city said all the water slides, the tot pool, the hot tub and playground area will be available for the rest of the season, however, the main pool at the Kinsmen Water Park remains closed after a leak was detected earlier this summer.

Repairs to the pool will begin this fall in hopes to have the pool fully operational in 2017.

As a thank you to residents for patience during the oil spill, the city is offering a special half-price admission rate for the remainder of the season, Aug. 12 to 28.

Kinsmen Family Fun Nights will also return and be held on Aug. 18 and Aug. 25.

In 2015, Prince Albert was nominated for the Kraft Celebration Tour and the city received $25,000 towards new waterslides. Local businesses and organizations contributed about $275,000 to the project.

• Newly renovated waterslides open at the Prince Albert Kinsmen Water Park