Kajaani opens €620,000 water slide after costs nearly double estimate

Kaukavesi, an aquatic sports centre in Kajaani, opened a new water slide on Friday that cost €620,000, nearly twice its original estimate, Yle reports.

The partly outdoor location required specialist materials and thermal insulation, while the choice of suppliers was limited because few companies make water slides.

City manager Terho Savolainen took the first ride. He said the work also included new lighting, music and safety structures, which he expected to make the slide safer than its predecessor.

Ten-year-old Kajaani resident Uska Tapionmäki was among the first to try it. He said the slide had been a popular topic among children his age and planned to ride it about 40 times on opening day. He gave it a score of 10, despite being asked to rate it on a scale of one to five.

Kaukavesi opened in 2013, and its previous slide was in use for just under 13 years. The city expects the new one to last longer because the old slide’s materials did not withstand outdoor conditions well enough.

Savolainen called the price reasonable given the centre’s use. It receives about 250,000 visits a year. If the new slide lasts 13 years and is used as often as the previous one, at about 133,000 rides annually, the purchase cost would work out to around 36 cents per ride.

Savolainen said the city’s finances would also allow continued investment in sports services, including a planned ball sports hall next year.