News
September 14, 2024
Great Wolf Lodge grand opening flop

The August 7 grand opening of Great Wolf Lodge in Webster, Texas, didn’t go as planned when improperly mixed pool chemicals forced the evacuation of the building and sent 16 people to the hospital.

Webster Fire Chief Dean Spencer said a third-party contractor mixed sodium hypochlorite and sulfuric acid, resulting in hazardous fumes.

The incident occurred in a pool house building located separate from the hotel and waterpark, and the victims of the fumes were hotel employees and contractors, including six construction workers from the Maldonado Construction Company.

Officials said that the Webster Fire Department “isolated the tanks, monitored the area, and confirmed no chemicals were detected in the hotel or waterpark.”

The situation was quickly contained and did not continue to affect the lodge’s operations that day.

Those affected were later released from the hospital.

Great Wolf Lodge issued the following statement: “The health and safety of our guests and pack members are always our top priority, and we greatly appreciate the quick actions of first responders from the city of Webster in response to the incident. We’ve received the all-clear to open the resort and all waterpark attractions.”

LATEST NEWS
CA calls for electric heaters in new pools
As California moves away from gas toward electric, what is lost and what is gained?
February 28, 2026
By Marcelle Dibrell For decades, the gas heater has been the unquestioned choice for attached spas. Turn it on, walk away, come back in about an hour,...
February 28, 2026
A recall of approximately 2,390 Sunneday and Blue Bay brand aboveground pools has been issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission due to a ...
Urgent product safety warning issued
February 28, 2026
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a Product Safety Warning urging consumers to immediately stop using certain Amber Brook pool dr...
February 28, 2026
The 2026 Western Pool & Spa Show — held February 12–14 at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California — once again prov...
Stories from working pool pros like you
‘ON THE ROUTE’
February 28, 2026
Every pool pro has a story and we are telling it here. We spotlight professionals across the country, sharing everyday strengths, habits that set them...