West Kelowna

Conrad Wiker received the news he has been waiting for for nearly three weeks.

Photo: Contributed

Whiplash Cable water Park will re-open Friday at 9 a.m.

All the paperwork is in and approved and Whiplash cable Wake Park will re-open for the balance of the summer season at 9 a.m. Friday morning.

An obviously delighted Wiker chose to focus on the positive outcome instead of any negative impressions.

"Instead of saying why the delay I want to say why we are open. I want to give a huge thank you to (MP) Mr. Ron Cannan and (MLA) Mr. Ben Stewart and also Westbank First Nation who were instrumental in helping us," says Wiker.

"It's really difficult to get three levels of government working together - First Nation, provincial and federal. But, they were able to get it done in a timely manner and I am appreciative, despite the delay."

Rather than engage in any finger-pointing, Wiker says he's just happy for the kids, the families and the community.

"We're open at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) with a $25 all day special. If there's any way you can slip that in, that would be great too."

The park was shut down three weeks ago by the provincial Ministry of Forests, Lands and Resource Operations July 13 after discovering the water park did not have the proper licensing and tenure in place.

Minister Steve Thomson says he made it a priority to get the paperwork done and approved as quickly as possible.

Wiker says it was getting to the point where they were close to shutting it down for the season if things didn't quickly come together.

"Absolutely. We wouldn't have had a choice. We're a seasonal based business," says Wiker.

"The company has never been designed to be a huge money maker. It was designed, in all honesty, to give opportunities to youth and families to enjoy the lake."