How simple renovations can increase aquatic facility attendance and profits

by jason_cramp | April 13, 2021 10:32 am

By Chris Thomas

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Although many commercial pools and splash pads have been forced to close during the pandemic, savvy facilities have been using this time as an opportunity to do much needed maintenance or even embark on renovation projects.

Forward-thinking aquatic managers realize planned renovations will help them bring patrons back once they can reopen. New spray-and-play water features, slides, and poolside climbing walls provide multiple thrill levels to a wide range of ages. By creatively reassessing aquatic facility space and capitalizing on existing plumbing and pumps, facilities can quickly create a renovation plan to bring back old patrons and reach out to a larger group of new customers to quickly increase attendance and boost profits.

Getting started

In most cases, aquatic facilities start exploring ideas when they know it is time to resurface slides or re-paint water features. In some cases, if there are deteriorated features that need to be removed, it is the perfect opportunity for facility managers to consider what options they must put in its place.

“A large part of what we do as consultants and designers is bring awareness to the many things that can go in the place of aging features,” says Cory Anderson, aquatic consultant, and owner of 80 West Group in South Carolina. “We like to provide options that not only fit within the client’s budget and timeline, but also give the facility something new with a big ‘wow’ factor to attract patrons.”

There are hundreds of options available, but not all facilities have the space, budget, or time needed to perform huge renovations. It is important to evaluate the site to determine what can be easily incorporated to get the best return on investment (ROI).

“Because of the popularity of large waterparks, aquatic facilities are trying to emulate them by bringing small-scale versions of what people experience at Great Wolf Lodge,” says Anderson.

In fact, he believes any renovation should strive to transform the space into a community’s central attraction. Aquatic directors realize the ‘waterpark’ model has the potential to attract patrons of all ages, which can truly revive a facility.

Designing around existing plumbing, pumps, and feeds

One of the best practices in splash pad and/or waterpark renovation planning and design is to begin with a reverse-engineering perspective.

“We often begin working on our designs by determining what water lines, plumbing, and pumps are already there and design around it, when possible,” says Anderson.

Maximizing untapped potential is the most efficient way to quickly determine renovations that will provide varying levels of user interaction.

“We frequently find an aquatic facility has a large feed with a feature pump and stable feed line, so we use that as our design launching point,” he says.

When looking at older facilities, many will have a single water feature that only serves one age group and no longer provides a thrill for other potential users. One of the fastest, simplest renovations involves removing the older component, but using the water feed to create a multi-level play structure. This includes choosing a series of water features that fit in the same space but cater to various age groups—from toddlers to tweens.

“I’ve done several projects where I have removed an old water feature that typically pushes 1325 litres per minute (lpm) (350 gallons per minute [gpm], and then we have redistributed the same water to a multi-level water play structure that can be bolted on to the pool deck—using the same existing feed and pump,” says Anderson. “We try to minimize the infrastructure costs, use what is working, and provide them with an exciting feature with new play components to promote their facility.”

Shelley Robinson, the Northern Alberta & Northern Saskatchewan territory manager of Park N Play Design, an Alberta-based supplier of indoor and outdoor custom play spaces, says her group is seeing new parks are now planning their designs for future renovations.

“In the early stages of planning, new parks are now being engineered and built with future retrofits in mind, which offer the ability to easily change out the toys above-grade,” says Robinson, who is also a certified inclusive playground design educator.

For example, the mechanical systems are being designed to allow for a simple ground spray to be updated to a dumping bucket, she says.

“Planning the piping and water pressure allows us to change out the spray elements from the top of the finished surface, reducing possible damage to what already exists,” says Robinson. “The majority of splash park manufacturers offer above-grade mounted spray toys which makes this type of renovation simple, without damaging the infrastructure.”

Simple solutions

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For aquatic facilities looking for features that require minimal renovation but provide excitement, Anderson says poolside climbing walls and smaller slides are an ideal choice.

“We find older aquatic facilities typically have underutilized deep-end pools where the water is flat and not appealing to tweens and teens,” says Anderson. “One of the easiest solutions is to add a poolside climbing wall that has tremendous visual appeal and immediately attracts this age group to these areas of the pool that have typically been avoided.”

Climbing walls can be easily attached to the pool deck and do not require any water source. This makes these features a quick, simple solution that gives an older pool a renovated look.

Smaller slides also provide an easy fix, particularly for ‘kiddie’ or ‘baby’ pools that have fallen out of favour. In older aquatic facilities, toddlers and younger children (as well as parents) have little attraction to the flat, stagnant water in these specialty pools.

“When it comes to kiddie pools and splash pads, we immediately offer a slide for facilities looking for a quick renovation that packs a huge visual punch to attract this age group, and is super easy to install,” says Anderson.

These slides require a very low flow of water, so it makes them easy to add to pools. Additionally, they come in several themes to give the pool the feeling of mini-waterpark. Further, the slides come in a variety of sizes and footprints, so they lend themselves to work on almost any space.

“When helping a facility choose a slide, we show them the many themes available, then narrow it down to the one that will fit into their kiddie pool, splash pad, or beach-entry area so the facility has the safety zones and clearances needed around the structure to be in full compliance,” says Anderson. “Best of all, there is no need to break up any of the deck.”

Experienced aquatic designers know the most successful aquatic renovations are those that leverage seldom-used spaces or water features so there is no need to completely overhaul the existing facility.

“We always want to know what is already there and try to build/add to it to maximize untapped potential,” says Anderson.

Planning for different thrill levels

During the design process, it is important to keep in mind in choosing different upgrades, each feature should be tailored to engage every age group in a family.

“The most successful renovations are designs that provide comfortable play spaces for young ones as well as older kids,” says Anderson.

Whenever possible, plan for a toddler area, a unique space for the four- to seven-year-olds, and a bigger area for the eight- to 12-year-old crowd.

By appealing to all age groups, aquatic facilities are more likely to attract families. It is also important to designate a toddler area with calming, interactive water features not too close to the slides, water cannons, or larger dumping buckets, which are designed for the middle and older children in a family.

“It’s important to plan and design with graduated levels of play focusing on beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of play,” says Robinson. “The goal is to create safe opportunities to splash independently while also encouraging co-operation and team play which all add to the success of the destination.”

Adding inclusive features that are thrilling for all

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When choosing play features in a renovation, it is also key to select products that provide experiences inclusive for all physical, developmental, or cognitive abilities. The arrangements of play features must ensure those with special needs have areas within a splash pad to participate.

“Splash parks and spray decks are the most inclusive recreational space you can plan that is not only suitable for all ages and abilities, but also answers to the needs of every member of the community,” says Robinson. “A two-year-old or 85-year-old user might only want a dusting of fresh water, while a nine-year-old or 49-year-old may want the thrill of a dumping bucket. Walking, rolling, or crawling, no matter how the user arrives at the destination, it’s important to have comfortable opportunities to play in the water.”

A variety of sensory experiences that build upon one another make the facility more inclusive for everyone. For example, designers can create a sequence of features, starting with sensory exploration with something as simple as a bubbler, and slowly increasing the intensity, which draw users into the splash pad. When done properly, this sequencing allows participants to try something more powerful, like an archway with spraying water, but they can quickly retreat to a less-forceful water feature. Moving from one zone to another allows users to explore the area at their own pace.

“One of our favourite go-to products are those that create a mushroom-like dome of water, which provides both a simple and attractive design for users of all ages and abilities,” says Anderson. “Kids can either play from outside the mushroom of water or sit under the dome of sprays, which creates a pleasing white noise and allows them to retreat into a world of their own.”

Robinson agrees and says, “splashing in water as a form of play is a universal experience and designers are responsible to consider everyone who might visit the spray park.”

Providing more than a play space

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As with any community gathering space, having a visually striking feature on a pool or splash pad can provide excitement and interest for all users. Using a large climbing wall on a deep end pool, a themed slide in a kiddie pool, or an iconic water feature attraction within the splash pad are all important to aquatic facilities that want a ‘waterpark’ feel to attract patrons. Large buckets of water that anchor the splash pad add an element of attraction, even when the facility is not in use.

One of the more eye-catching options for splash pads are large rings that spray a mist. These are both attractive and can be easily integrated into a sequencing design for inclusive play. Having water splash, cascade, and bubble creates a series of soothing sounds, which invariably enhances the ambience.

It is also important to remember splash pads are more than water-play areas. By enhancing the overall visual esthetics, a splash pad can lend year-round appeal to a facility, even in the winter. Some clients, especially homeowners’ associations and residential developments, are very interested in adding lighting to their splash pads, changing their the colours several times a year. For instance, red and green can be used around the winter holidays.

“Water features with LED (light-emitting diode) lighting help promote the facility even when it isn’t open,” says Anderson. “There are many water and lighting elements that together create an exciting visual impact and even allow some facilities to extend their operating hours.”

While aquatic facilities are focused on welcoming patrons, there is no better time than now to explore renovation products that not only provide a visual impact, but also offer thrills for all ages and members of a family.

“Community splash pads should be inclusive, attractive, and unique,” says Robinson. “Lighting and sound can be continuously reprogrammed for different seasons and holidays (e.g. red lights for Canada Day).”

Programmed lighting gives an aquatic facility the ability to change or appear as if it has been renovated throughout the year, making it attractive to members of the community.

“As designers and developers, we are focused on creating spaces that offer inclusive play, as well as artistic inspiration,” says Robinson.

Creating spaces that complement existing elements in a community is trending in 2021.

“The intent to invest in a space that has a dual purpose is huge,” says Robinson. “Communities want a play space, as well as a form of art—especially in climates where these facilities only operate in the spring and summer. Effective use of budgets and spaces encourage designs to not only be visually pleasing, but also be functional and inclusive.”

These simple solutions can be customized to accommodate an aquatic facility’s budget, while also being easily integrated into the existing footprint and infrastructure to make the facility the talk of the town in 2021.

[5]Chris Thomas is the director of marketing at Fountain People and Water Odyssey and has a decade of experience promoting the physical, mental, and social benefits of water features and aquatic play. His background in marketing and communication design allows him to identify market needs, contribute to the aquatic community through product development to enhance the guest experience, and discover design strategies that move child development forward. Thomas has contributed to various industry publications and collaborated with consultants and end-users to bring their vision to life. He can be reached via email at chris.thomas@fountainpeople.com[6].

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