Calgary 
You can now have a beach day at Calgary’s man-made lake.
To Do Canada
Sikome Lake, located within the Fish Creek Provincial Park, opened last Saturday for the 2023 season.
The Lake, first opened in 1978, is staffed by Alberta Provincial Parks aquatic staff.
During the season, the entire body of water is refreshed once every eight days through an on-location water treatment plant. The lake measures 0.44 sq km in area and is ~ 7 ft deep. During winter, the water is drained, and it takes about three weeks to refill the lake every spring.
On a weekly basis, water samples are collected from various lake sections. These samples undergo analysis at the Foothills Hospital, after which the results are shared with Alberta Health Services and the maintenance team at Fish Creek Provincial Park.
In addition to the swimming beach and lake, the facilities include change rooms, playgrounds, and a volleyball court.
The Concession, situated in the GATE A (Main) building, offers a range of food items including hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks, frozen treats, and soft drinks. It provides a convenient option for visitors to purchase refreshments.
At the Beach Shop, you can find a selection of beach supplies available for purchase. This includes towels, sunscreen, swim diapers, hats, umbrellas, assorted inflatables, and reusable water bottles.
Both the Concession and Beach Shop operate during specific hours. From Mondays to Thursdays, they are open from 11 am to 5:30 pm. On Fridays to Sundays, the operating hours are extended until 6:30 pm.
A beach wheelchair is available for loan at the GATE A (Main) entrance.
Credit: Alberta Parks
If you are planning a day out, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Sikome Lake is a swimming lake that has no lifeguards. Hence, you need to supervise children. All children under seven should be within the arm’s reach of the guardian. The current rules require a minimum of 1 adult for every five children under 12 for admission into the facility. FDA personal flotation devices are recommended and available for free onsite use through the Lifejacket Loaner Station program. There have been two drownings (a 7-year-old and a 29-year-old) at the lake.
- The park has few picnic tables and propane gas barbeques are allowed on grassy areas, but wood or charcoal/briquette barbecues are prohibited.
- Canoes, kayaks, motor boats, hard-bottom rafts, and paddle boards are not permitted.
The park charges admission at the gate at the rate of $10 admission for a family (2 adults + 4 children living at the same residence), $5 for adults (18-64), $4 for seniors (65+), and $3 for children (6-17).
Sikome Lake (22 Sikome Cir SE, Calgary) is open daily until Labour Day long weekend (September 4, 2023).
Hours of Operations:
GATE A (Main):
- Monday to Thursday: 11 am – 5:30 pm
- Friday, Weekends, and Holidays: 10 am – 6:30 pm
GATE B (North):
- Monday to Thursday (weather permitting): 11 am – 5:30 pm
- Friday, Weekends, and Holidays (weather permitting): 10 am – 6:30 pm
GATE C (South):
- Closed (Overflow parking available). Once parked, walk to the north entrances to pay, enter, or exit the facility.
- Weekends and Holidays to mid-August (weather permitting): 12 pm – 5 pm
- Closed on Fridays.
The beach and water close at 6 pm, and gates lock promptly at 6:30 pm from Mondays to Thursdays. The beach and water close at 7 pm, and gates lock promptly at 7:30 pm from Fridays to Sundays.
“man-man lake”?