Calgary hot spell brings business boom after soggy summer

After a cool, wet July, business is heating up for many in Calgary amid this August heat wave we are currently experiencing.

Some Calgary businesses are cashing in on a late-summer heat wave after a soggy few months of rain.

Muhammad Atoui, the owner of Riverside Rafting, says this week’s hot weather is good for business.

“I’m very happy and very excited,” he said.

“For the next couple of weeks, you look at the weather and it’s going to be sunny and between 25 and 27 degrees, and that’ll bring a lot of people down to the river.”

The city saw so much rainfall last month, it became the third-wettest July on record.

Atoui said business dropped by around 60 per cent last month—the worst July he’s had since he opened five years ago.

“Usually it’s our best month, but this year, it was our worst month,” he said,

He said the sunny and hot weather has his phone ringing off the hook for bookings and he hopes to make up some of the shortfall.

“Now, it’s very busy, and I’m happy and I’m glad I’m going to make up some money for the season,” he said.

“I don’t think I’ll make up for the season, but I’ll make up for a little bit, so I’ll be happy with that.”

People are also flocking to patios, which is welcome news for businesses across the city, including Una Pizza on 17th Avenue S.W.

Phillip Cryderman said this summer has been tougher than others, due in large part to the wet weather.

“It hurt the bottom line a bit, but we’re glad to see August heating up, and we’re looking forward to maybe a hotter September and October as well,” he said.

“August has been a lot busier than we thought it would be because a lot of people are typically travelling during August.”

Although, the extreme heat this week is also keeping some people inside, seeking air conditioning.

“The first table I had wanted to go inside, and it’s not even peak hours yet for heat,” he said.

Some outdoor pools extending season

People are also making up for lost time at the city’s outdoor pools.

After a slow, soggy summer, the Calgary Outdoor Swimming Pool Association (COSPA) is extending its season at its Mount Pleasant and South Calgary outdoor pool locations.

“This year, we’ll have two pools operating throughout September,” said Riley Harper, COSPA director.

He says the two locations will offer swimming lessons for kids until Sept. 22.

“If you want to try something different, try a fall lesson in an outdoor pool—and they are heated.”