Thunder Run waterslide at Village Square will be replaced after 32 years

The Thunder Run, a fixture at northeast Calgary's Village Square Leisure Centre since 1994, will be removed during a major renovation project, the city confirmed Tuesday.

The iconic blue waterslide — six storeys tall and 173 metres long — has reached the end of its serviceable life. "The current slide and support structure are more than 30 years old and have reached the point where replacement is a more practical, long-term solution than continuing to repair the existing system," a city spokesperson said.

The facility will close on August 31 for a year-long renovation that includes upgrades to electrical and mechanical systems, replacement of boilers and air handling units, and installation of a new waterslide in the same general location. The work is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.

The city acknowledged the Thunder Run's place in Calgary residents' memories. "The Thunder Run slide has created memories for generations of Calgarians since it was added in 1994," the statement said. The city is encouraging Calgarians who have fond memories of the slide or want to experience it before work begins to visit the facility this summer. Residents can follow the renovations as work progresses.