St. Albert is about to splash things up with a couple of youth-based events, the first of which is happening today at the top of Seven Hills all the dripping wet way to the bottom.
Slip 'N on Seven is the ever-popular transformation of the public field into a massive waterslide for all ages. Hosted by the BAM St. Albert Youth Asset Team, the event serves as not only a great way for BAM members to show their incredible leadership and organizational abilities. It also serves to unite the community in one of the most fun pastimes one can participate in while falling down.
It's so popular that the city's community development co-ordinator Ben Huising says they decided that the double slide capacity of previous years just wasn't enough to satisfy the public's demands.
"This year, we are doubling things," he said, announcing the four slides that the masses will get to enjoy. "We had such a big crowd out last year – between five and six hundred people, also it was like 30 degrees – we decided that we were going to do four slides, one of the slides will be just for children five and under."
With the forecast looking like it will be sunny and in the mid-20s, there should be a lot of people drawn to the coolest – and wettest – spot in town.
He added his appreciation that BAM received funding from the Firefighters' Athletic Association in order to cover the increased overhead costs of having more slides.
Slip 'N on Seven takes place today from noon to 3 p.m. at école Father Jan Elementary on Mission Avenue. Entry is $5 per person or $10 per family but once you're in, you get an unlimited number of slides. Children under 5 get to slide for free.
BAM will also have a concession on site. Half of all proceeds will go towards providing clean water to families in Ethiopia through Hope International. Donations for this project will also be accepted on the day of the event.
Twistin' by the pool
There's also an exclusive opportunity for city youths to take over the Grosvenor Outdoor Pool next Wednesday, get in some great dives, and catch some evening rays while listening to DJ Scanti spin some tunes to spread the good vibes.
"It's a dance party in the pool!" exclaimed organizer Kathleen Bell. "It's just going to be a fun time to hang with your squad. You don't necessarily have to go in the pool. You can hang out on deck, read magazines, paint your nails, eat chips, and listen to tunes…"
She noted that the first 50 people through the gates each get a free beach ball, which will likely see a lot of use during the two-hour party.
The Frequensea Summer Party is put on by organizers from Amplify Festival. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 20 and is open only to people aged 15 to 21. The annual splasher often fills the facility, even if not everybody is there to actually get into the pool.
Bell admitted that past attendees were clamouring to have future events pushed past final exam time.
"We had it at the end of the school year over the last couple of years. It's a busy time of year for everyone," she said. "We decided that they wanted it outside at Grosvenor and we also decided to move the time so it had nothing to do with that craziness."
The city's recreation department, she added, fully supported the event as an extra way of encouraging St. Albert youths to attend local recreational facilities.
Entry costs $8 per person. The first 50 people through the gates get a free beach ball. All funds raised go to support this year's Amplify Festival.
The Grosvenor Outdoor Pool is located at 1 Grenfell Ave.
