Mac Island aquatics ready to make a splash with September 22 opening

(Fort McMurray, AB – July 29, 2010) – Construction of the aquatic facility at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre at MacDonald Island Park is nearing completion and is scheduled to open with the "First 250" swim on September 22, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and MacDonald Island Park Corporation announced today.

Preliminary commissioning and testing of the aquatic centre has commenced, as there is now water in the pool areas. The primary contractor working on the project, Stuart Olson Construction, is scheduled to turnover the aquatics facility to the Operator, MacDonald Island Park Corporation, over the long weekend. MacDonald Island Park Corporation will then undertake final commissioning and training of staff prior to the facility being opened for public use.

Beginning August 2, MacDonald Island Park will implement a See You at the Beach campaign that will include the distribution of 3,000 mini-beach balls into the community for the "First 250" Beach Bash.

"The 'First 250' Beach Bash will allow us all to join together as a community and take the first step into the future," said Tim Reid, Chief Operating Officer at MacDonald Island Park Corporation. "History is being made at MacDonald Island. We'll see you at the beach, here on Your Island."

Each beach ball will qualify five people for entrance into the MacDonald Island "First 250" Beach Bash draw. Taking place September 13, the draw will feature a lazy river race initiated by Olympic swimmer Jennifer Button, who was recently inducted into the Wood Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. The first 50 beach balls to cross the finish line will win entrance to the "First 250" Beach Bash on September 22.

The facility will open to the public on September 23 with a limited number of users. Capacity will increase daily until the full opening on September 27, with approximately 1,000 swimmers.

"This truly is an exciting time as we move closer to opening this world-class facility for the residents of Wood Buffalo," said Mayor Melissa Blake. ""I really look forward to our residents and visitors having a chance to swim, slide and make a splash at the Aquatic Centre very soon."

Centennial Pool will continue to be open to the public until September 18. The pool will be reduced to limited hours effective August 29, in order for aquatics staff to be trained at the MacDonald Island Aquatic Centre.

MacDonald Island Park Corporation has already lined up exciting events and competitions for the aquatics facility at the Suncor Community Leisure Centre, including the 2011 Speedo Age Group/Senior Provincial Long Course Championships brought to the community by the Manta Swim Club.

The Suncor Community Leisure Centre at MacDonald Island Park is the largest facility of its kind in Western Canada. The Aquatic Centre will include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an additional four-lane pool, a lazy river, a splash park, two water slides and more. The building also includes a 52,000 sq ft library, an NHL-sized arena, two additional ice surfaces, eight curling sheets, two field houses, a running track, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a children's playground, a child minding area, 1,200 parking stalls, and is situated right next door to an 18-hole golf course.

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