The City of Calgary will officially be holding a farewell party for Village Square Leisure Centre’s iconic Thunder Run slide before it’s torn down. The Thunder Run’s last ride celebration will be held on Sunday, Aug. 30. The following day, Village Square will close for service cycle upgrades – including the dismantling of the slide. Officials say the Thunder Run – added in 1994 – has reached the end of its life cycle. “For generations, the Thunder Slide has been more than a waterslide; it’s been the backdrop for family outings, childhood milestones and lasting community memories,” said the city. In honour of the slide, Village Square is throwing it back to 1994 for the party -- with retro admission pricing, a DJ, décor and more. The first swimming session at the party will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Afterward, the pool will be closed and cleaned. Then, a second swimming session will take place from 2:30 – 6 p.m. Admission to the celebration is just $4 per person; kids five and under are free. “This event is expected to reach capacity, so we’re encouraging people to check out Village Square Leisure Centre any time before Aug. 30,” the city said. Once Village Square closes on Aug. 31, the Thunder Run will be removed and replaced with a new slide in the same general area. It’s expected Village Square will reopen by the end of 2027.
