Leons Headlines May 26: Heat wave rolls on: High pressure brings sunshine & unseasonably hot weather to Westman this week, with temps well above the normal +21°C, peaking in the upper 20s to mid-30s.
-Canada Post, union expected to resume talks in a few days as overtime ban continues.
-MB & federal governments announce historic raises for child-care workers, increasing baseline wages up to $27.56 per hour, retroactive to April 1.
-More Manitobans return to the Whiteshell area after wildfire evacuations, though a significant threat remains & re-evacuation may be needed on short notice.
-Before a packed house of Pro Rodeo fans Saturday night, Jake Gardner went 3-for-3, earning his second straight rodeo victory, extending his PBR Canada lead.
-City’s south-end lift stations are expected to go $5M over budget; because they were not charging developers enough over the last five years.
-MB RCMP need help to solve the homicide of 24yr old Trevin Steele, last seen in Creighton SK on May 24, 2024, and found in Flin Flon days later.
-An ON judge approves a $500M class-action settlement against Loblaw & George Weston for bread price-fixing from 2001 to 2021, with most funds going to Canadian customers outside Quebec.
-King Charles is on his way to Ottawa today, where he will deliver the throne speech tomorrow to open parliament.
-Transport Canada has issued recalls for over 15,000 Ford F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles from 2022 to 2024 due to braking safety issues.
-All but 1 of Wpg spray parks open Saturday. Brandon’s spray parks open one week from Friday June 6.
-Netflix & CBS to film a reboot of Little House on the Prairie in Wpg & area from June to October, featuring a new take on the Ingalls family’s 19th-century frontier life.
Remember the old Water Parks of Manitoba? Water parks were once a beloved summer hotspot, packed with families and friends seeking fun and relief from the heat. Over the years, many have sadly closed due to rising costs and changing recreation trends. Today, only a few remain open, making the summer splash experience rarer than before.
Not 100% but this could easily be THUNDERMOUNTAIN park, once located at Grand Valley Road in Brandon.
Skinners back in it’s HEYDAY!!
Since been torn down, but before it was, this footage was taken. Rather sad.
Water parks in Manitoba have closed mainly because they cost a lot to run and maintain, especially with repairs and safety rules. The short summer season means they only make money for a few months each year. High expenses for water, electricity, and staff often outweigh the income from visitors. Also, many people now prefer other types of entertainment or travel instead of going to local water parks. Because of these challenges, many water parks aren’t making enough profit to stay open.
Manitoba & Nearby Options:
- Splish Splash Water Park (Morden, MB) — Outdoor waterpark about 1.5 hours south of Brandon, with slides and splash zones for a fun family day trip.
- Splasher’s Indoor Pool & Waterslides (Winnipeg, MB) — Indoor waterpark with large slides, great for year-round fun.
- Stride Place / Splash Island (Portage la Prairie, MB) — Features Manitoba’s largest indoor leisure wave pool, lazy river, and waterslides.
- Turtle Island Waterpark (Belcourt ND)-Features 175 feet indoor/outdoor water slides, lay river and pool with retractable roof.
- World Waterpark (West Edmonton Mall, Edmonton, AB) — The largest indoor waterpark in North America with massive slides and attractions, about 13 hours drive from Brandon.
U.S. Options (Closest Large Waterparks):
- Noah’s Ark Waterpark (Wisconsin Dells, WI) — The largest outdoor waterpark in the U.S., about a 12-hour drive south; massive slides, wave pools, and water rides.
- Kalahari Resorts & Conventions (Wisconsin Dells, WI and Sandusky, OH) — Huge indoor waterpark resorts with rides, lazy rivers, and themed areas.
- Great Wolf Lodge (multiple U.S. locations) — Popular indoor waterpark resorts with extensive attractions, including ones in Minnesota and Illinois that are about 10-12 hours away by car.
BIG BOX OFFICE WEEKEND and it’s not done, since it’s the US Memorial Day Long weekend. Regardless, The live-action remake of Lilo & Stitch is on track to have the biggest Memorial Day weekend opening ever.
Uh-oh, some songs shouldn’t be sun anymore? Many iconic ’90s songs are now seen as offensive when their lyrics are closely examined.
https://bestlifeonline.com/90s-songs
Reality TV death. Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson died at 79 after battling Alzheimer’s disease.
https://www.boredpanda.com/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-passes-away-at-79
CAUTION at the grill. Some foods just don’t cook well on the grill, according to barbecue experts.
https://www.mashed.com/1867716/worst-foods-never-cook-on-grill
Is your dog a dangerous breed? A new list of the most dangerous dogs has Pit bulls as the most dangerous, linked to the highest rate of bites and fatalities.
https://studyfinds.org/most-dangerous-dogs-10-breeds-most-likely-to-land-you-in-court-hospital
