Sikome Lake

Infobox lake
lake_name = Sikome Aquatic Facility
image_lake = Sikome lake-2002.jpg
caption_lake = Sikome Lake beach
image_bathymetry =
caption_bathymetry =
location = Alberta
coords = coord|50|53|58|N|114|00|56|W|type:waterbody_region:CA-AB_scale:10000|display=inline,title
type = Artificial
inflow =
outflow =
catchment =
basin_countries = Canada
length =
width =
area = convert|0.4|km2|acre|-1|abbr=on
depth =
max-depth =
volume =
residence_time =
shore =
elevation = convert|1005|m|ft|-1|abbr=on
islands =
cities = Calgary
frozen =

Sikome Aquatic Facility is a man made lake in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south-east quadrant of the city, within the Fish Creek Provincial Park, and is part of the Bow River basin. It lies at an elevation of 1005 m and has a surface of convert|0.4|km2|acre|-1|abbr=on.Cite web| url= http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=2ff6fc95-62ca-4a61-beae-fa2ec1ff2a47 | title= Calgary swimming lake closed this summer | author= Calgary Herald | authorlink= Calgary Herald | month= February | year= 2007| accessdate= 2007-05-07]

First opened in August 1978, it is a swimming area open during the summer as a public beach. Up to 20,000 swimmers a day visit the lake during summer week-ends.Cite web| url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2001/07/12/kitesca010712.html | title= Sikome Lake gulls to be scared off by kites | author= CBC news | authorlink= Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | month= July | year= 2001 | accessdate= 2007-05-07] The beach is staffed by City Parks & Recreation lifeguards. During the winter the water is drained, and it takes three weeks to fill the lake every spring. A filtration system that chlorinates the water supply was implemented in 1988 at a cost of $1.8 million.

For the 2007 season, the lake was closed to public due to construction. It has been closed before, in July 1991 and August 1999, due to excessive contamination from bird droppings and in July 2005 due to flooding.

Although there are lifeguards on duty, policy dictates that it is the responsibility of adults to supervise their children. There are change rooms, concession stands and playgrounds in the immediate area of the and beach. Barbecues are permitted in the area, as long as they are gas-powered and are used in the lawn areas adjacent to the beach. The lake facilities are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day from mid-June to the Labour Day weekend. Pets are not permitted in the Sikome Lake area.

ee also

*List of lakes in Alberta
*List of attractions and landmarks in Calgary

References