Ontario Place was once the proud host of 91原创鈥檚 first ever waterslide. Back then, in 1978 visitors could spend 30 minutes of slide time on the concrete bends of what was known as simply, Waterslide鈩. The experience has come a long way since then 鈥 and Therme 91原创, the company working to revitalize the West Island of Ontario Place, is pledging to revive the experience for a new generation.
Along with its indoor/outdoor pools, steam rooms and saunas, this wellbeing destination will offer visitors a chance to enjoy several world-class waterslides. Other Therme locations such as Therme Bucharest feature up to 16 slides, with the fastest reaching speeds up to 12 meters per second. Last year, more than 10 million rides were taken down Therme Bucharest鈥檚 slides.
鈥淧eople love our waterslides because they are a blast for thrill-seekers and people just looking for a good time. It鈥檚 an experience the whole family can enjoy together,鈥 said Simon Bredin, senior manager of communications and public engagement for Therme Group 91原创.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Bredin said that while Therme is still in the early stages of designing the facility鈥檚 interior, the company already knows it will feature many different types of waterslides that guests can choose from. First, there are the fun-filled slides for families. 鈥淔or the kids, they will be slower, there won鈥檛 be any drops and typically they鈥檇 be wider so two people can go at the same time. A parent can ride with their child if they鈥檙e a bit nervous,鈥 he said.
But there will also be slides for the thrill seekers, which will be faster and feature dips, twists and turns to really build that rush of adrenaline. 鈥淢y personal favourite slide in our Bucharest location is called the Galaxy, where you slide down through a series of tight spirals and end up riding this wide, open half-pipe that almost reaches the ceiling 鈥 then it all ends in a big splash,鈥 said Bredin.
Therme Group鈥檚 Vice President Attractions and Partnerships, Rainer Maelzer, is a lead engineer on the project. He said the exact number of waterslides that will be at Therme 91原创 | Ontario Place is still being decided, but points to Therme Bucharest as an example of what it will be like.
Maelzer said the process of planning out the waterslides for Therme 91原创 | Ontario Place will begin with the slide designers and engineers working with the building鈥檚 architects on where best to place them.
They start by deciding where the family-friendly slides should be located. Not only are they bigger, but, he said, you also want to locate them away from the wellness facility鈥檚 more serene offerings, such as the saunas and mineral pools. Next, the thrill seeker rides are positioned because they are smaller and can be slotted into the design more easily.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
Once that is done, the waterslide design team determines the number of slides that can fit in the waterslide zone, how they will fit together in the space, the pathways visitors will take to access them, and what colours will be used to ensure they tie into the overall design of the building. That space will help dictate how many twists and turns to include plus any other exciting features. The slide combinations are based on the estimated capacity that is calculated for each project. The goal is to have a maximum wait time of 15 minutes for each rider 鈥 even on the busiest days 鈥 so they have the opportunity to ride at least four slides per hour.
Maelzer said the final step in the design process is to put the planned slides through rigorous safety tests. This includes conducting numerous simulations and calculations with different variations of weight, height and speed. These all need to be considered to ensure the slides can be enjoyed safely by every visitor.
Bredin said what sets Therme鈥檚 waterslides apart is that they are just one of the many experiences offered at the wellness destination. Once built on the West Island of Ontario Place, the facility will also feature indoor and outdoor pools, wellbeing therapies, fitness programs, botanical gardens, and restaurants 鈥 all wrapped by nearly 16 acres of free public space.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e not just getting a waterslide zone at Therme 91原创 | Ontario Place,鈥 Bredin said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e getting the wave pools, the restaurants and the ability to relax under a palm tree all day if you want. You get to do everything in one location and under one entrance fee.鈥
Sign up for Therme 91原创鈥檚 newsletter at to stay up to date on redevelopment plans.
DISCLAIMER: This content was funded and approved by the advertiser.
