Thunder Run waterslide gets one final celebration before Village Square overhaul

The Thunder Run waterslide at Village Square Leisure Centre will get a proper send-off on August 30 with a full-day, all-ages celebration before the facility's renovation project replaces it.

The event — pitched by Calgary actor and comedian Andrew Phung — offers retro admission pricing of $4 and a DJ. Two swimming sessions will accommodate expected crowds: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Phung, who grew up in northeast Calgary using the leisure centre and library, said the slide closure hit him with "a wave of nostalgia and gratefulness." He pitched the idea to the city, which took it forward. "My vision was a big party at the Village Square Leisure Centre, and they ran with the vision," Phung said. He is rearranging his Toronto schedule to attend both sessions and bring a camera crew to capture the moment.

The city's statement called the Thunder Run "a landmark of the northeast of Calgary" that "has created memories for generations of Calgarians." It has been part of childhood summers for residents for 32 years since opening in 1994.

As HighOnCity reported in July, the slide would be replaced during a major renovation project. The facility is expected to reopen by the end of 2027 with a new slide in place. The current slide has been affected by age and Calgary's weather, including cold temperatures that limit operation.