Calypso Theme Waterpark opens Monday
The long-anticipated opening of the Calypso Theme Waterpark will take place this Monday, June 7. Located off the Highway 417 in Limoges, Ontario, (near Casselman) the park will become Akwesasne’s closest waterpark at just about a 45-minute drive away.
Admission for adults (by height) is just under $31 (Canadian currency) and just under $25 for shorter guests and senior citizens. Season passes for the tallest guests cost $129, and $99 for shorter guests. Guests under the age of 2 enter for free.
Upon their arrival, guests will be greeted by Calypso’s colourful characters who come from all over the world to establish themselves at the park and share their passion for everything watery: Calypso, Queen of the Waves, the corsair Captain LaPlank, Sarah Max, thrill-seeker extraordinaire, the mysterious Dr. Dunk and nature enthusiast, Wildman Jack. Guests will enjoy the warm and enchanting Caribbean atmosphere that permeates every corner of the entire theme park, from the ticket booths to the restaurants. The Calypso Palace, home of the Goddess Calypso, features an enormous fresco of seashells and statues of sea dwellers – and all of this overlooking Canada’s largest wave pool, which is as big as three NHL rinks. Throughout the day, Calypso will control the waves of the giant wave pools to the enjoyment of her guests and friends. Those with a taste for aquatic adventure will be able to float down the wild and twisted Jungle Run River under its thick, luscious green canopy and lifelike screams of wild-animals heard from overhead. With a little luck, bathers might get a glimpse of the fearless adventurer Wildman Jack in action, taming a wild beast or even learn a little about ecology.
Curious guests who have wondered what goes on in a scientist’s lab will literally be able to experience firsthand how it feels to be twirled and mixed in a bowl as they race down one of Turbo Lab’s four dizzying slides. Step into Dr. Dunk’s lab if you dare!
Young kids will be enchanted by the Zoo Lagoon as they play on its mini slides, enjoy its various water toys and meet friendly animated characters. It’s a watery world of wonder – engineered for fun and safety at the same time. Children – and the young at heart – can join Captain LaPlank in the Pirate’s Aquaplay and experience adventure and thrills in its many slides, water cannons, and on the wooden walkways with over 100 water features for hours of fun.
Thrill seekers can take up Sara Max’s challenges as they zip down the park various watery speed ways. They will have plenty to scream about thanks to the Turbulence and Blackhole waterslides, which feature tight turns and steep drops; all in total darkness. Speed freaks will be able to scream their hearts out as they reach maximum velocity plunging down the Adrenaline and Vertigo slides, or race head-to-head against their friends in the multi-lane Fast Track. The daring can experience the high-seas firsthand as they are propelled up the huge walls of the Boomerango and Zoomerang.
The Calypso Theme Waterpark also offers a wide array of entertainment; two international-calibre beach volleyball courts and grassy areas landscaped for total relaxation, such as the area around the wave pool, with room for nearly 4,000 sunbathers. At the Hawaiian Beach Bar, guests can enjoy plenty of refreshments plus the music of a live tropical band, or enjoy delicious food at one of the many restaurants.
Park visitors will also benefit from the very convenient “Money at my fingertip” payment method. Using biometric technology, “Money at my fingertip” gives guests access to their money all day, at all park food and beverage sales points and at the Calypso Friends Boutique, without the need to carry a single dime. “We implemented this system for the first time at our Village Vacances Valcartier sister location in 2009,” explains Drouin. “It lets visitors upload money to their index finger and use it everywhere on-site with a single touch of their finger.”
“We’ve spent two years on research and development for our “Money at my fingertip”, technology,” adds Drouin. “This is unique to our two theme waterparks, and we are very pleased with the outcome. It has been a resounding success, and we’ve received a lot of positive feedback from our clientele, who appreciate the freedom it offers.” Any unused balance is fully refundable at the end of the day’s visit, or can be used throughout the season.
The new theme park is located just 20 minutes from Ottawa and 75 minutes from Montreal. The 35-waterslide theme waterpark is projected to generate $750 million in spin-offs over a 10-year period for the entire National Capital and Eastern Ontario regions.
Calypso is the result of an investment of more than $45 million, including $2 million from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. When completed, it will be one of Canada’s largest tourist projects.
The Calypso human resources team has been very busy with several pre-hiring sessions to find the required personnel to man the huge installation. During the peak season, Calypso will employ more than 500 people, including 125 lifeguards.
The promoter: Village Vacances Valcartier Group
In 1963, Village Vacances Valcartier Group created Valcartier Vacation Village, one of North America’s most popular tourist destinations. It offers a myriad of activities designed to please a constantly growing family clientele. Valcartier Vacation Village is a $50-million investment and one of the major economic engines of Quebec’s tourism industry, attracting 10 million visitors, and providing permanent employment for 50 people, and summer employment for another 500 people.
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