The ride is over for Colwood’s controversial “roller-coaster” slide.
Believed to be responsible for broken limbs and many minor injuries, the metal spiral tube slide attached to Quarry Park’s three-level castle – designed and given safety certification for kids from five to 12 – was removed July 8 by the City of Colwood and Path Developments.
“Despite the fact that the injuries were folks using the slide who were beyond the ages it's recommended for,” said communications manager Sandra Russell.
“But we want this to be a place where people of all ages have a really good time … so, the determination was made to remove the slide.”
The city and developer are now working with the playground providers to determine next steps. They plan to have a new piece of play equipment installed in the same location in the fall.
The cost to replace the slide is being discussed with the various parties involved, explained Russell. She was unsure if the slide would be recycled or repurposed for its next incarnation.
After Quarry Park opened in April, questions about the slide’s steep incline and speed sparked concerns about its suitability for children.
In early June, mom of two Sarah Lalonde broke a leg using the slide with her four-year-old son on her lap. Days later, a three-year-old boy was reported to have suffered the same fate.
The city then closed the slide June 11.
Lalonde is pleased the city has taken action to remove the slide, which she had described as something more suited to be a ride at a theme park.
“I’m happy it was taken down as I feel that it was built unsafe for all,” said the mom, who is still on a long road to recovery. Doctors have told her it could be up to a year until the leg is fully healed.
“I feel that nobody should be worried about breaking a body part or coming out with minor injuries when going down a slide.”
