A park by any other name than Rotary is still just as a great

Significant changes are coming for Whitecourt’s beloved attraction, Rotary Park. The most significant change comes in its name, which has officially changed to Festival Park. Rotary International required a name switch after changing its rules for logos and branding on property and sites not owned or controlled by a Rotary Club. The name had to change, given that the town owns the park and the club was a partner, not an owner.

The Rotary Club of Whitecourt has been an enormous part of the evolution of the famous space and played a role in picking the new moniker. Mayor Tom Pickard said in a release that the Whitecourt Rotary Club is a valued partner and will be recognized as a park supporter. “We appreciate the Rotary Club’s involvement in determining the new name for the Park and feel it reflects what this park is in our community. It is Whitecourt’s most popular outdoor recreation destination and home to numerous outdoor festivals, gatherings, and celebrations.”

During the April 24 Town Council meeting, Kelly Sadoway, Recreation Manager, detailed the rest of the changes coming to the park this summer. “At the concession, we will be operating Sisters Sweet Treats, which will offer a variety of hot food and ice cream which should be a welcome amenity down there.” Zainoon Halabi, the owner of The Crown and Anchor and Brothers Diner restaurants, will be running it. Hot food expected includes tacos, burgers, and pizza by the slice. “We think this might help because many people like to cook down there. If there’s food available, that might be a nice alternative,” explained Sadoway.

Over by the playground, the Jumbo Jumper will make its grand entrance soon. “You hit the button, and it inflates, and kids can jump on it, and it’s going to be popular. I kind of want to get there before the kids do,” chuckled Sadoway. Councillor Paul Chauvet, who had initially started the conversation about getting the massive inflatable, joked back, “Get in line.”

Another new piece to add to the fun down at Festival Park is a rental opportunity for residents and visitors to make use of the pond. Swimming is prohibited, and signs around it say as much. However, there are safer ways to use the pond. Lakeside Rentals will set up a self-dispensing kayak and paddleboard shelter to allow a safe opportunity to use the park’s mini lake.

“It’s unmanned. So, you walk up, remote login, sign a waiver, and then it will give you a code to unlock your equipment and your safety stuff that goes with it. You then use it and return it, and it knows when you’ve returned it,” explained Sadoway. The web-based system will require renters to go to the website, book and pay for their equipment.

Sadoway said there would be roughly twelve rentals within the kiosk. “We were talking about the distribution between stand-up paddleboards and kayaks and whether it be where you put your feet in or on top of the kayaks. We were thinking more of the on-top kayaks.” She said there might be more kayaks than paddleboards but would have to wait and see.

Councillor Tara Baker asked how it would work for residents to decipher the difference between no swimming and being allowed on a paddleboard with a life jacket. CAO Peter Smyl explained that using a device to enjoy the water, like a paddleboard, kayak or canoe, providing they are using the proper gear and have signed the waiver, is different. “Swimming is not permitted. Our insurance has looked at it and has agreed with the liability and the insurance and the process. It’s a fairly new process but again, no swimming. It’s just a device to be on the water, and if you happen to fall off of the paddleboard, just like if you tip over a canoe, it’s the same scenario.” When wearing a life jacket, the user would get out of the water and back onto their device again.

Councillor Paul Chauvet asked if there would be enforcement for people to wear life jackets. He said it felt like a small line between being on the board and deciding to go for a swim. “It is a device, and you’re signing a waiver. We currently allow them, and we actually do have paddle boards and canoes in the pond,” explained Smyl. On any given night through the summer, numerous residents utilize the pond with their devices. Smyl added that many other water bodies and provincial parks are switching to these types of kiosk rentals.

A comparable option is tubing on the McLeod River. Both Whitecourt and Woodlands County encourage residents and visitors to go for a float down the river, and there are stairs and parking lots provided to use. But it is at the risk of each person who sits on a floatie. Wearing life jackets is encouraged as an extra level of safety, as is the recommendation of wearing water shoes and not drinking alcohol. The river is there to enjoy and use safely, just like the pond at Festival Park.

Users of the water devices at the pond will need to use their credit card and be of a certain age to rent one, just like the rentable scooters seen in the city. “It’s not a device to go swimming. It’s a device to go on the pond and then put it back when you’re done,” concluded Smyl. Whitecourt Town Council voted on accepting the park rebranding and enhancements as information. The motion passed but was not unanimous. The new logo for Festival Park will be shared sometime this month, and new signs will be put up throughout the summer as they arrive.