Waterpark revitalization: How to save time and money on maintenance and renovations

by jason_cramp | December 4, 2017 10:54 am

By Katrina Kalashnikova

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As the season ends for most North American waterparks, it is important to make sure service crews shutdown the park and ‘winterize’ it with the same care that is taken when readying the facility for guests in the spring. The time spent protecting slides and decks from the elements is money in the bank for a facility operator, as it extends the life of the equipment—not to mention it makes opening the park the following year much easier.

That said, the information presented in this article can help waterpark operators and managers save time and money when maintaining and/or renovating their facilities. Proper maintenance of a waterpark and its equipment is essential to success. This may be a bold statement, but consider how important the following are:

• Rider safety and comfort;
• Lengthening the lifecycle of equipment; and
• Waterpark curb appeal for marketing purposes and guest satisfaction.

When choices have to be made about where to invest money when looking ahead to the next season, a facility operator should consider what he/she can do to enliven what they already have. This type of forward thinking can amount to a smaller investment with a shorter return on investment (ROI). Properly maintained waterpark equipment will provide years of service and entertain guests the way they were meant to—safe and fun.

A busy season will leave its mark on a waterpark’s slides and other water play structures; therefore, operators must look at these features with a critical eye when inspecting the facility at the end of the season.

How do slide surfaces look?

Slide surfaces are subject to wear from riders, chemical oxidation from pool water, and weathering and ultraviolet (UV) light damage, which can fade colours. All of these factors can contribute to how enticing the waterslides will look to riders. If an attraction looks old, people may start to wonder about safety. The good news is this damage can be reversed

Professional cleaning products and servicing can remove water deposit build up, which can make slides look misty and faded. Fibreglass can be brought back to life through a process of wet sanding, power-buff polishing, and gloss sealing. UV waxes, which should be applied in the spring and fall as part of a waterpark’s regular maintenance plan, can also be used to help protect slides from further colour fading.

Professional slide refinishing processes are not just for cosmetics; they are for safety measures, as well. UV exposure can deteriorate the gel coat surface and potentially expose the structural fibreglass layers. As a result, this can reduce the structural strength of the fibreglass parts. Where long-term UV degradation has caused the structural fibreglass layer to become exposed, reapplying gel coating is recommended to renew the integrity of the fibreglass parts.

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Slide joints also play an important role in rider comfort, safety, and experience. Fibreglass waterslide sections expand and contract daily with temperature changes, which can cause joints to deform and crack or chip over time. Additionally, the caulking used to seal joints can deteriorate from pool chemical exposure and may require re-caulking to stop leaks and close gaps that can become uncomfortable for riders.

Slide repair options for these types of issues may include polishing and applying astringents and gel paints to repair the minor chips and cracks that can occur from expansion and contraction.

An experienced service technician will ensure slide joints have sufficient caulking for smooth sliding comfort. It is important to use trained technicians for this type of refinishing work to ensure the use of certified buffing compounds and power-buffing equipment that does not burn through the gel coat.

The resurfacing costs of a waterslide flume can range between $17 and $25 per square foot and are highly dependent on environmental variables, working conditions, and service availability. Getting resurfacing right the first time will save a facility money in the long-term. If this maintenance is performed incorrectly, it can pose safety issues and will need to be redone, resulting in increased costs.

Is the interactive play structure fatigued?

A facility operator should cast a critical eye over water play structures to see if any of the following can be identified:

• Cracks or chips in deck surfaces;
• Chipped or peeling paint and rust;
• Cuts, tears, sagging, or damage to climbing nets, safety nets, and web crawl tunnels;
• Clogged jets and nozzles causing ineffective operation of interactive elements; and
• Signs of fatigue in the tipping bucket’s pivot shaft (cracking of metal or welds) or bucket support frame and the structure’s stand pipes.

The goal of any multi-level play structure is to attract and entertain children; hoping they will play for hours, splashing and running all over. With this though comes inevitable wear; therefore, making sure the waterpark’s structures are properly maintained is an important step to preventing injuries and managing liability.

Nets need to be tested to ensure they can still withstand the weight of guests and the demands of high traffic. Do not overlook interactive elements, as they are a key contributor to the entertainment value of a water play structure. For instance, guests will become frustrated and disappointed if nozzles are clogged and parents watching from the slide lines will notice what does not work and judge accordingly.

Even the little details matter

Towers, stairways, decks, and paths are often ignored because they are not an ‘attraction,’ but they do play a significant role in user experience. For instance, as a guest climbs the stairs, their anticipation building for the thrilling ride they are about to embark, it is important they do not become distracted by or stumble on poorly maintained surfaces.

The same can be said as one weaves through the stairways and decks of a play structure. As towers, stairs, and platforms age, they are exposed to weather, pool chemical deterioration, rust, and corrosion. Problem areas can be reconditioned or may need to be replaced. For popular rides, where queues form, guests have time to notice the details; therefore, guaranteeing everything is in pristine condition reinforces the waterpark’s brand perception, as well as serves to reassure guests the park is maintained.

Of course, there are a myriad of small details that reflect on how well maintained a waterpark appears to guests—from planning to trash cans—but the shoulder seasons provide an opportunity to revitalize some of the more disruptive maintenance tasks, which put some attractions out of commission for a short period.

In what case is a more radical change required?

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After a facility operator has reflected on the waterpark’s current season and audited the condition of the equipment, it may become apparent that something more significant than a thorough clean, fix, and polish is required. For instance, it may be identifying areas where particular guest demographics are underserved, the need to have a ‘hook’ for marketing seasons passes and considering the investment required for a new attraction, or perhaps it is figuring out a way to increase the revenue per guest by keeping them in the park longer.

That said, the following are three strategies a facility operator and/or manager can implement that can give a waterpark a new lease on life without investing in a new ride or attraction.

1. Colour counts

A facility operator may not know they can completely change the colour of their waterslides without having to replace them. This investment is less than a new slide, but appears as though a new ride was installed. Ask any designer about the impact colour can have on freshening up an environment. This alone can help draw guests to an underused corner in a waterpark.

2. Tell a new story

Most water play structures are able to have themed elements added to them, which can create a new look that ignites the imagination of younger guests. Play structures can even be renamed as a way to remarket it in communications. When kids dive into a world fuelled by their imagination, they tend to play peacefully for longer periods, which allow families to extend their stay and have happy memories of their day.

3. Add Interactivity

Game overlay slideboarding can be retrofitted to slides by adding scoring light targets throughout the flume that riders need to ‘hit’ by pressing a button on their slideboard as they pass under them. With 64 levels and a smart system that recognizes riders and serves up their next level (and even music choices) when they return, it will keep them coming back to that slide as they attempt to beat their score and their friends.

It is never too late to add more water play elements to existing structures or to retrofit old ones as another way to add interactivity. Tipping buckets, water blasters, and other interactive elements can help add new life and playability to an older structure. Changing up play surfaces by replacing netting with a new deck or stairs can also help to freshen up the look.

Case in point

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Waterparks big and small have all employed one or more of these tactics at one point or another. For example, SeaWorld® Orlando is dedicated to keeping true to their slogan: ‘Real. Amazing.’ Since the park is open year-round, its slide flume surfaces are subject to wear, weathering, and UV fade from direct sunlight. Therefore, to bring these attractions back to life, each slides’ worn-down interior gel coat was removed and a fresh layer was applied to keep them smooth and shiny.

In addition, slide sections comprising open flumes were also replaced with new fibreglass to reveal a vibrant, fresh look, but more importantly, ensuring they were structurally sound. These adjustments make a world of difference to a fun experience.

In the municipal market, making attractions last is an important way of making taxpayers’ dollars go further. For instance, with a mind on budgets, the Newton Wave Pool in Surrey, B.C., had a play structure that required extra attention to extend its lifespan. In this case, after a full safety assessment by service technicians, all of the standpipes were replaced, platforms were renewed with ones made of fibreglass, rust was removed, and a new polyethylene waterslide was installed.

Forward thinking

With most waterparks in Canada now closed for the winter, facility operators are turning their attention to next season. Now is the time to reconsider some of the options available that can help revitalize the park and impress guests next season.

Katr[5]ina Kalashnikova is a senior project manager with the aftersales department at WhiteWater West[6]. She studied engineering, business, and economics at Simon Fraser University and she holds a global credential of project management processional from PMI. Kalashnikova has more than 10 years of business, manufacturing, and construction experience and has a proven record of successfully completing complex projects. She can be reached at katrina.kalashnikova@whitewaterwest.com[7].

Source URL: https://www.poolspamarketing.com/trade/features/expert-advice/waterpark-revitalization/

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