A successful splash pad installation lies in hiring the right people

Plumber or pool contractor

The plumber/pool contractor will install the aquatic play pad’s water management system, as well as supply and install the piping between the system, play features and drain. Prior to backfilling all water lines, the contractor will complete a pressure test to ensure there are no leaks. Often, this contractor will complete many of the primary responsibilities; however, it will vary depending on the project’s scale.

Electrician

The electrician is responsible for supplying power to the main controller, breaker box and water management system, as well as tying in any activators, grounding valves and wiring.

KEYS TO BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL SPLASH PAD

Every aquatic play pad will vary in its scope and challenges. Regardless, there are certain considerations that can be made along the way to greatly improve the chances of a successful installation: • Choose a general contractor that has experience with pools or spray parks and thinks proactively about the entire process, asking questions beforehand in order to be fully prepared once the products arrive on site. • Make sure the permit application is taken to the city, otherwise referred to as ‘Call Before You Dig.’ This service provides details about what pipes or utilities are underground in order to avoid unnecessary expenses and delays. • Once testing is complete and the aquatic project is deemed complete, the contractor may be required to revise the engineer-approved plans to show any variations made during installation. This is especially important in municipal and outdoor projects because the revised plans are re-drawn and archived by the governing body (e.g. city hall) as an accurate representation for future use. • Ensure the manufacturer supports the design/build team, even after the sale. Some manufacturers offer very little post-sale support, while others have dedicated technical personnel to ensure installations run smoothly in addition to providing long-term operational support.

Opening day

Embarking on an aquatic play pad project is an exciting challenge. When all the experts have been sought, the installation executed and the project completed, nothing will offer the same satisfaction as the spray park’s opening day.

All of the inspired community members, enthusiastic adults and ecstatic children will be united into one cohesive celebration of the many efforts involved to make the project a success. While every aquatic play pad project is unique, one commonality they all share is the diligent planning and thoughtful execution involved to deliver an outstanding aquatic environment that families will enjoy for years to come.

Cory Forrest is a product manager with Waterplay^® Solutions Corp., in Kelowna, B.C. He is responsible for product line life cycles, from initial strategic planning through to product specification. He travels extensively throughout North America conducting educational seminars and training on-site personnel. He can be reached via e-mail at cory.forrest@waterplay.com.