Cultus Lake waterslides set to re-open six weeks after children injured by electrical burns mid-June
Employees recalled to work for July 25, although owners have not made public announcement about reopening, no update on cultus.com as of July 12
July 12, 2026
Cultus Lake Waterpark is apparently set to reopen after June's tragic incident in which a dozen children suffered electrical burn injuries, although park owners have not made a formal announcement or update on the website.
Employees, however, have been recalled to work for July 25, according to a source.
As of Sunday (July 12, 2026), the amusement park's website at Cultus.com still had an update about the incident from June 27 stating that a reopening was targeted for the second half of July, but at that time tickets were not available.
It was June 15 when the terrifying incident happened. A dozen 12- and 13-year-olds on a field trip from Minnekhada Middle School in Coquitlam suffered “electrical shock and burn injuries” after touching a metal railing queuing up for the Zero-to-60 Raceway slide on the eastern edge of the park.
Paramedics raced to the site up Columbia Valley Road and an a BC Air Ambulance helicopter was dispatched to rush the children to hospital. WorkSafeBC was notified of the incident as was Technical Safety B.C. (TSBC). A preliminary investigation by TSBC identified “electrical non-compliances” at the site.
Kate Parker, TSBC's vice-president of operations, said the incident was “deeply concerning.”
“We would classify this as a serious incident.”
Serious as this was, the tragedy did not prompt the closure of the park by operators. The ride in question was taped off and kids not burned and shocked by the electricity kept on splashing on the unaffected slides.
“What measures were taken to confirm, without a doubt, and under whose authority was it determined that the remainder of the waterpark was safe?”
That’s one of many questions parent Quima Padgett of Chilliwack had on Monday. Padgett’s child attends F.G. Leary, another school on a field trip at the waterslides on Monday.
“If the same would have happened at a construction site or any worksite, they would have been expected to shut down immediately,” Padgett told Something Worth Hearing.
“I'm concerned as to who made the decision to keep it open after such a massive emergency that could have potentially injured more people.”
WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order immediately after the incident, however, a spokesperson didn't explain why the park remained open for so long after the electrical incident.
“WorkSafeBC issued a stop-work order which applies to the entire work site, excluding an administrative building,” the WorkSafeBC spokesperson said via email. “The stop-work order will remain in place until it is safe for work activities at the park to resume.”
TSBC said the issue was several “electrical non-compliances” at the park, defined as electrical work that doesn't meet safety requirements under the B.C. electrical code.
As for Cultus Lake Waterpark owners or management, no one replied to emailed questions to comment. CBC News reported that the park similarly did not respond to their questions.
They did issue “thoughts and prayers” posted in a statement on their website.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all the victims, their families and classmates who were affected by the electrical incident which occurred yesterday.”
The last update posted June 27 said the park operators were working through the inspection and approval process with Technical Safety BC.
“We understand that this process will take time. Once a reopening date, operating hours, and ticket options have been finalized, new tickets will be released for purchase. In the meantime, we have temporarily suspended all ticket sales and are issuing refunds to all ticket holders."
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Paul J. Henderson
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