Cultus Lake Waterpark in British Columbia has started a phased reopening on July 29, following a six-week safety investigation into an electrical incident on June 15 that hospitalized 12 children.
The incident occurred when a dozen youths aged 12 to 13 received electrical shocks and burn injuries after touching a metal handrail while waiting in line for the Zero to 60 Raceway slide.
Emergency responders transported the victims to the hospital, including two children airlifted via air ambulance with serious but stable injuries.
Investigation Findings
According to provincial safety regulators, initial inspections revealed critical installation flaws within the park's electrical infrastructure.
"We can share that portions of the electrical system in the park, originally installed during a park expansion, were not properly bonded or grounded," said Kate Parker, Technical Safety B.
C. vice-president of operations.
Inspectors noted that proper bonding maintains equal electrical potential across metal components, while grounding directs excess currents into the earth to trigger circuit breakers during system faults.
"When electrical faults developed in a nearby building and light fixture, the deficiencies in the grounding system prevented the proper operation of circuit breakers, and the handrail became energized," said Parker.
Licenced contractors completed repairs to bring the facility into compliance with provincial electrical codes, enabling safety officers to approve the initial reopening phase.
"The park has also passed a thorough inspection by our TSBC safety officers, and we worked in tandem with Fraser Health, WorkSafe BC and the RCMP, who had their own inquiries and requirements for reopening," said Parker.
Despite passing initial inspections, the facility continues operating under reduced capacity and modified schedules as technical reviews remain ongoing.
"Our priority is to complete the review and work needed for returning our waterslide attractions to service first," the waterpark wrote in a website statement.
Waterpark management confirmed that multiple non-compliance certificates were issued following site-wide evaluations of electrical, natural gas, chemical, and operational systems.
"These findings have been provided to us through non-compliance certificates and a comprehensive review of our entire facility ensuring similar conditions are not present elsewhere in the park," the statement said.
Comprehensive testing of pool infrastructure is taking longer due to invasive inspection requirements required for submerged structures.
"The assessment process is detailed and includes thorough inspections, testing, documentation and corrective work where required," the statement explained.
While the facility operated with valid permits prior to the incident, the hot tubs, Pirates Cove splash zone, and major rides like the Zero to 60 Raceway remain closed to visitors.
One mother, Jen Browne, said her 12-year-old son is "still quite anxious about the whole incident and things surrounding that."
The affected boy suffered physical scarring and remains reluctant to enter aquatic recreation facilities following the event.
"He says he never wants to ever go to a water park again," said Browne.
Her son continues to feel hesitant regarding public attractions he previously enjoyed.
"He was anxious about even going to Playland for Fright Nights, one of his favorite things to do," said Browne.
Technical Safety B. C.
has not yet published its final official report regarding the incident at the facility.
