A towering waterslide at a northeast Calgary recreation centre is no more, but the city has released details of what the replacement slide will look like. The city unveiled three images of the new, as-yet-unnamed, attraction at the Village Square Leisure Centre on Thursday. “We’ve heard from countless Calgarians about what the Thunder Slide has meant to them over the years,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas in a news release. “The incredible turnout for the slide’s final weekend showed just how much people care about places like this and that recreation facilities create memories that last a lifetime.” The new slide will be built as part of the centre’s repairs and upgrades project and, instead of an open-air corkscrew, it will be fully enclosed inside the building to protect it from the changeable Calgary weather, officials said. “The ride will feature a dynamic path, taking riders through a series of changing twists and turns before reaching the runout below. The design also incorporates translucent sections that create changing colours and light effects throughout the experience,” officials said. “A vibrant gradient colour scheme featuring reds, pinks, purples, oranges and yellows will make the slide a striking new addition to the Village Square Leisure Centre pool area.” The new slide and renovated Village Square facility is expected to reopen near the end of 2027. Updates can be found on the city’s website.
