Skip to content

Barrie's inflatable waterpark set to make bigger splash this summer

Barrie park expanding to minimize wait times

Lace up your swimming trunks because the Splash On Waterpark is expanding its popular Barrie location and adding a second site a little further north this year.

After its first season last summer wildly exceeded expectations despite the weather, the water park is opening a second location in Orillia this summer.

Both locations are in the midst of hiring between 15 and 20 lifeguards each.

“Last year, we had so many happy customers and kids. Their eyes were the size of saucers when they saw it,” says Brittany Gallagher, owner and operator of both Barrie (Centennial Beach) and Orillia (Tudhope Park) locations.

“We have the opportunity here to be the highlight of someone’s summer.”

The official opening dates of the two locations are June 28 for Barrie and June 30 for Orillia. Opening dates may change, subject to weather.

This year, the Barrie park is expanding to minimize wait lines. The new park will be about 40 per cent larger and will include new elements such as a trampoline and a lifeguard tower.

The new Orillia location will have the capacity for 100 people, roughly the same size as the 2017 Barrie park, but with some changes to park layout. The equipment is designed with a Lego concept in mind, allowing the company to change the layout from year to year.

Last year, Gallagher was honoured to win the Woman of the Year – Young Entrepreneur award from the Barrie Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business Awards. The event was held on International Women’s Day.

“It was an unbelievably amazing experience. I had no idea… and was so humbled I would be awarded something of that magnitude. It was amazing to be in the same room as so many ambitious and successful women,” says Gallagher.

While Gallagher’s family started an inflatable waterpark business out in B.C. and Gallagher herself has a business background, it was her regular trips to Barrie to visit her boyfriend’s family that made her see the potential Simcoe County had to offer.

“We would go out to visit and I was blown away by the beauty of the lakes and saw so much potential. After doing research I found nothing similar was being done (in Ontario), so I saw an opportunity and I took it,” she laughs.

For any young entrepreneurs looking to start their own business ventures, Gallagher offers advice filled with optimism.

“Believe in yourself and go 110 per cent. Believe in yourself and your idea and just go for it!” she says.

Prices and hours will remain the same as 2017.

For more information or to apply for open positions, visit here.


Reader Feedback

Jessica Owen

About the Author: Jessica Owen

Jessica Owen is an experienced journalist working for Village Media since 2018, primarily covering Collingwood and education.
Read more