Wild Waterworks removes public weight scale after backlash

In the wake of fervent backlash, Hamilton's Wild Waterworks has removed a scale that publicly displayed people's weight before entering a slide.

But the popular water park says the bathroom scale - which some visitors considered triggering and embarrassing - was only a temporary" placeholder for a commercial, remote-display scale that had recently broken.

That wasn't the explanation they provided to The Spectator in mid-June, however, when they cited safety as the reason behind their contentious weight policy and household scale.

Bruce Harschnitz, a manager at the Hamilton Conservation Authority, who oversees the park, previously said the scale was in place to abide by maximum weight limits set by their water slide manufacturers - 400 pounds for tube slides, 300 pounds for body slides. He made no mention of the broken commercial scale.

(In) an effort not to offend specific individuals, all riders are being asked to go on the scales before being permitted on the attraction," he said via email, noting the backlash prompted a review of the park's safety procedures.

Harschnitz also added the scale readings were only viewed by staff and not broadcast to the public.

But some alleged otherwise.

I couldn't do it, it's just so humiliating," said Amy Ormrod, who avoided slides at the park when seeing the household scale in late June.

Hamilton-based nutritionist Michelle Cordeiro said the public scale reading lacked compassion and understanding," given that water parks can be triggering places for those who struggle with body image or eating disorders.

Gord Costie, a director with the conservation authority, said Thursday that riders will still have to be weighed before entering certain slides - but the number that pops up will be kept private.

The new scale does not publicly display individual weights and staff do not announce weight totals to slide ride patrons," he said. The safety station ensures all weight and height restrictions fall within the manufacturers recommendations (for) the attraction in the spirit of public safety."

Sebastian Bron is a reporter at The Spectator. sbron@thespec.com