WATERPARKS NEWS CA$65m waterpark opens in Quebec
Invest in your team to inspire next generation of waterpark leaders Aleatha Ezra PHOTO: AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT GROUP
The Aquatic Development Group (ADG) is behind designs for a new waterpark in Quebec, Canada, which recently opened its doors. The indoor waterpark, developed at a cost of CA$65m ($49m, €46m, £40m), is the first of its kind in the province. The Polynesian-themed, 10-hectare (25-acre) Bora Parc features advanced waterpark technologies, including the FlowRider system, a 4,000sq ft (371sqm) wave pool and an adventure wave river using ADG’s WaveTek technology. The facility has a 1,000person capacity, 14 slides and a family area with its own pool and separate activities. Dry options include private cabanas and a restaurant terrace with space for private events.
INDUSTRY OPINION
■ The waterpark has 14 slides and a family area A part of the Village Vacances Valcartier Resort, Bora Parc was added to the destination to increase the average length of stay, also providing a market differential to stand out from competitors. The waterpark was the vision of the resort’s
former president, Guy Drouin, who died from cancer just days before its opening. Since 1972, Drouin has invested more than CA$130m ($98m, €92m, £79m) in upgrading the resort and tourist attraction’s facilities. ■ Details: http://lei.sr?a=K8H4P_T
Six Flags intensifies China push with waterpark
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PHOTO: SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR
Six Flags’ rapid overseas expansion is ramping up with plans to build a new waterpark next to China’s first theme park operating under the brand’s banner. Sitting adjacent to Haiyan’s under-development Six Flags Zhejang, the waterpark will open at the same time as the theme park, with Six Flags Hurricane Harbor including waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river and a water play area for kids. The theme park and now waterpark are at the heart of a $4.6bn (€4.4bn, £3.7bn) resort development in Hangzhou Bay, with Chinese real estate development firm Riverside Investment Group (RIG) behind the plans. RIG – which currently has more than $3.5bn (€3.2bn, £2.5bn) in assets
■ Six Flags Hurricane Harbor will include a number of slides under management – is partnering with Six Flags on the mixed-use development, which is expected to create more than 100,000 jobs. Six Flags CEO John Duffey recently revealed to Attractions Management plans to build “multiple” Six Flags parks in China
attractionsmanagement.com
in the next 10 years, all in partnership with RIG. A franchise model has been set up to support the upcoming parks, with confirmed plans for two in Vietnam, while further Asian expansion could well be on the way, with plans rumoured in Malaysia. ■ Details: http://lei.sr?a=E7w9t_T
As we closed the books on another year, it didn’t escape our notice how many industry leaders and true innovators we lost in 2016. Truly, our global water leisure industry has been propelled forward by great men and women who have each left their mark on the way waterparks are built and the experiences these facilities deliver. Their passing is both a chance to celebrate their amazing contributions and a reminder that we need to be building up our next generation of leaders. Our industry cannot break ground in emerging markets without strong leaders ready to take over the highest management positions. We need to spend more time investing in the growth and development of middle managers and those who are starting out in the water leisure industry. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources available locally, nationally and internationally – many of which are accessible online. The WWA has a number of tools and programmes dedicated to the development of emerging leaders, from a special membership category to online learning programmes to a scholarship that allows someone to attend the WWA Show at no cost. Visit waterparks.org to learn more. Attractions Management’s leisurediary.com is a comprehensive online directory of professional development events. The tool allows you to search dozens of events taking place all over the world and narrow down by categories like seminar, training, webinar or exhibition. Resources for training abound, so make 2017 a year to invest in your team with the goal of inspiring the next great industry leader. Aleatha Ezra, director of park member development, WWA AM 1 2017 ©CYBERTREK 2017