NEWS

IN BRIEF £2.2M REFURB MEANS HEALTHY FUTURE FOR MID SUFFOLK Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre opened its doors at the end of June following a £2.2m upgrade and extension, supporting residents’ health and wellbeing. On the wet leisure side, the work, which was funded by Mid Suffolk District Council, included the introduction of Poolview technology to support lifeguards, plus updated poolside railings and glass barriers, swimming pool shower and toilets. This £2.2m investment by the council is part of their plans to upgrade leisure provision in the district, and is key for their wider Vision for Stowmarket. The funds also included a £200k council investment to refresh facilities at Stradbroke Swimming Pool and Fitness Centre which were completed last year.

SURVEY SHOWS CRYPTO OOCYSTS IN 20% OF SAMPLES With the collaboration of pool operators, managers, treatment specialists, water testing labs and local authorities, Professor Rachel Chalmers, head of the Cryptosporidium Reference Unit in Swansea and a PWTAG council member, recently mounted a survey of six leisure pools. Their construction and management were assessed and their waters sampled for Crypto oocysts (the transmissive, chlorine-resistant phase). The results have been published in the journal ‘Water’. Oocysts were found in 20% of the pool water samples, with concentrations higher in the filter backwash water – confirming the importance of effective filtration. Crypto was mostly found in August, when pools were busiest. And mathematical modelling showed the risk to bathers was greatest when bather loads were highest. But there were no Crypto outbreaks associated with these pools, which all seemed to be well run. Traditional PWTAG standards, including bather hygiene and scrupulous management of faecal accidents, seem to be the key.

www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk 4+7_SPN_June_21_News_General_Alt.indd 7

Therme Group Partners With University In Breakthrough Wellbeing Project

Global wellbeing organisation, Therme Group, has partnered with COGITO, the epistemology research centre at the University of Glasgow, to develop a unified theory of wellbeing. The project will enhance the customer experience at Therme Group projects across the world. What’s more, with results set to be available in the public domain, findings will help inform the leisure and attractions industry, advancing wellbeing globally. Jointly financed by Therme Group and The University of Glasgow, the project is the first ever large-scale, interdisciplinary investigation into the nature of wellbeing. ‘Dimensions of Wellbeing’

will develop a novel, multidimensional theory of wellbeing, grounded in both philosophical and psychological research. It will also look into cuttingedge research in environmental psychology to investigate how wellbeing can be generated in the built environment. The ongoing project, which will take place over a five-year timeline, follows a successful pilot programme between COGITO and Therme Group. It begins officially with the appointment of Dr Christopher Willard-Kyle as Therme Research Fellow. Renowned in the field, Dr Willard-Kyle is a specialist in research at the intersection of epistemology, ethics and

cognitive psychology, and he will be conducting his work in the COGITO Epistemology Research Centre at Glasgow. Throughout the partnership, COGITO’s findings will be implemented in Therme Group facilities across the world. With each location welcoming in excess of one million visitors per year, the project will have a huge impact on the wellbeing industry. This direct implementation will provide invaluable data to understand the function of architecture and environment on human wellbeing. Therme Group 020 7769 6761 www.thermegroup.com

Polin Offers Innovative Solutions for Camping And Caravan Parks Like many other market segments – from theme parks to recreational facilities – the outdoor hospitality sector is eager to give guests thrilling waterpark experiences during their visits. The sector, which includes camping grounds, caravan parks and glamping sites has emerged from a low-cost niche to a mainstream, versatile recreation experience as the sector repositioned itself as an alternative choice for weekend breaks and holidays. The industry is large and dynamic and the number of people spending their vacations and holidays at caravan and camping parks has been steadily growing over the last few years. Even more importantly for the wet leisure and waterpark industries, the primary user group of these camps is families – with the adults aged 30-54 years. Families make up 50% of the caravan and camping market share. The Europe region is expected to retain its dominant position in the global camping and caravanning market, due to increase in frequency and length of holidays by young population in the caravan camping parks coupled with growing trend of mobile homes without relying on hotels or motels in the region. During the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, Polin has completed more than 30 camping projects including the company’s signature waterslides.

Polin’s additions help make the aquatic centres, camp sites and holiday parks more enticing to families and encourage guests to spend more relaxing time at each facility, taking advantage of other on site services. Polin provides attractions and features that will make any facility unique and offer many special products and designs for camp sites and holiday parks such as water play structures, spray parks and animations. Each of these products can be customised according to the individual facility’s need. Polin Waterparks +90 262 656 6467 www.polin.com.tr

SPN June 2021 7 27/06/2021 12:17