He said a good waterplay facility would offer a range of different features to appeal to patrons of all ages from toddlers to teens. Slides were popular to promote family fun while splash pads meant there was no standing water and no need for parents to get nervous about child safety. “Ground sprays, adjustable mushrooms and spouting animals are popular with the younger patrons while dumper buckets, water cannons and slides appeal to older kids and even adults,” he said. “Aquatic attractions can include small waterslides off various height platforms, a variety of water sprayers including patterns of ground sprayers, water cannons, water features such as spilling cones, tipping cones, giant overhead showers, tipping buckets and spinning water wheels. “You can keep it simple with a splash pad comprising a
series of randomly sequenced ground sprays or choose a more elaborate design with a combination of slides, overhead showering features in the shape of flowers, birds or insects, dumper buckets, waterfalls, tunnels, weirs and cannons.” Mr Jones tried to use existing infrastructure when installing waterplay facilities to save money but said accommodation providers wanting to make a big splash were only limited by the area available and budget constraints. “A waterpark and waterplay features create increased bookings and attract families as guests,” he said. “Water walls with a series of graduated ponds connected by spillways are a popular choice for lobbies and poolside features along with fountains and fishponds. Mosaic water walls and stone-clad features are a timeless addition to any hotel
facility and add an immediate air of class and sophistication. Maintenance is relatively simple and depending on the design, a water feature can multi-task as another seating option around pools and restaurant tables with bull-nosed capping and walls built to standard seating height.” Fountains, he said, were often relatively inexpensive but highly decorative features to promote hotels. His company installed four with great success at the Cable Beach Club Resort in Broome along with other waterplay facilities there. Mr Jones said safety was a priority when designing a waterplay area especially if it was being used by small children. Splash pads meant there was no standing water that could be hazardous while the splashing still created enormous enjoyment. “Shade structures over the pool are essential to protect
the children from the sun and should be extended over a hob wall that retains the splash-out and doubles as a seat around the area. It provides seating for parents or carers of the smaller children facing their child at play. “Interaction with water is the best play tool on a hot day … water sprayers and splashing ponds add to the fun.” He said features such as waterslides could be added to existing pools as an extra attraction for properties. The maintenance of water features and small slide structures was “largely dependent upon the quality of the product purchased”. “There are poor quality imported products on the market,” he said, “that do not stand up to the harsh environment of a waterpark with chlorinated water and UV exposure. Buyer beware.”
Image courtesy of Water Features by Design
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GUEST FACILITIES
AccomNews - Spring 2020
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