Win-Win Appeal

Win-Win Appeal

Commercial swimming pool enclosures offer new opportunities and increased profitability to venues by extending the season, increasing throughput and reducing costs. Pic: Certikin International

Commercial swimming pool enclosures offer new opportunities and increased profitability to venues by extending the season, increasing throughput and reducing costs. Pic: Certikin International

The vagaries of the Great British weather can play havoc with outdoor pool time. While outdoor pools are often the main attraction in the summer, during the cooler months they tend to be a no-go area for holidaymakers and can ultimately cost the pool operator, with little or no return on investment. By weather-proofing an outdoor pool owners can not only benefit from year-round pool usage but can also extend the swimming day; a win-win situation for both park owners and their guests.

Commercial swimming pool enclosures offer new opportunities and increased profitability to venues by extending the season, increasing throughput and reducing costs. There are two main types of swimming pool enclosures; telescopic or fixed. A fixed pool building remains in place and ventilation is provided via lift up sides and access is via doors at the end of the building. Changing rooms and shower facilities can easily be incorporated if required. In contrast, a telescopic pool enclosure enables you to fully open the pool and enjoy warm sunny days whilst rolling it back either by hand or using solar powered motors when it turns colder. Both types of pool building can be freestanding or attached to an existing adjacent building.

PLANNING REQUIREMENTS “It’s important to remember that a swimming pool enclosure is not a temporary building and will require planning in sensitive locations as will the swimming pool,” advises David Lawrence, Managing Director of Telescopic Pool Enclosures, who has been marketing retractable enclosures throughout UK since 1991. He adds: “We always undertake all planning and if requested building regulations for our enclosures and accept full responsibility.”

The company has held sole exclusive rights for the ROLAL retractable or fixed swimming pool enclosure for the UK, EIRE and the Channel Islands since 1998 and has installed hundreds of enclosures throughout the UK. The enclosures are the only retractable enclosures designed for glass of either 6mm safety or 16mm sealed units. They are also the only retractable enclosures in the UK using as standard 16mm triple walled polycarbonate, which makes them the most insulated enclosures that offer all year use without any additional heating other than the pool water. Since 2006, the company has also offered another complete range of retractable enclosures with low to medium heights and high, smaller enclosures.

These are not glass, but glazed with either eight or 10mm of twin walled polycarbonate or clear or bronze solid 4mm transparent polycarbonate. “All our enclosures are constructed on site by our own skilled fitters and are done so usually within a two to three week period. Larger enclosures can take longer especially when using glulam beams to allow incorporation of walls, chalets and other buildings,” says David.

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Splash Landings

The effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests. Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

Above: The effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests.
Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

Splash Landings

With the fun factor at the top of visitor wish lists, it is vital for holiday parks operators to continuously not just meet but exceed expectations for safe and fun aquatic play.

While major swimming pool investment can sometimes be ruled out on the basis of budget, splash pads and water play areas offer an attractive value for money alternative. From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

“When families are selecting a holiday park more often than not the on-site facilities on offer will be a major factor, second only to location with an on-site pool being one of the most popular draws,” comments Matt Clark of Country Leisure Fibreglass.

“However these days swimming alone is not enough to keep kids entertained for long. Slides, flumes and an assortment of water features not only liven up the pool environment but keep children occupied for longer and wanting to return again.”

Ernie Hemming of Ustigate Waterplay agrees: “Without doubt, the effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features can be a key tool in attracting and retaining guests. “By using a range of colours, sensations of water and sleek designs, there won’t be any member of the family who will be able to resist taking a dip in the water play area.”

From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family entertained for hours. Pic: Certikin.

Above: From aquaslides and speed tubes to splash pads, interactive fountains and water jets, water play areas will keep the whole family
entertained for hours. Pic: Certikin.

Ustigate Waterplay advises on a zero-level water play installation which prevents the buildup of water in the play area, therefore eliminating the need for a lifeguard and providing accessibility to all, including wheelchair users. The company’s product index consists of over 300 standard aquatic structures containing items designed to meet all specifications and budgets.

“We advise our clients on creating water play installations which caters for a range of age groups to increase its play value and popularity,” says Ernie. “Carefully selected combinations and positioning of structures and features will attract the target audience to the relevant areas of the park, toddler, teen or family sections which will result into more visitors, because it is suitable for all of the family.”

Ustigate specialises in splash pads and offer the full range of Vortex equipment which includes more than 140 different water play jets and above ground sprays. Not only do splash pads appeal to the kid in all of us, but they also tap today’s pressing issues of water conservation, parents’ heightened concerns for safety, the ongoing search for revenue and multipurpose usage.

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CERTIKIN INTERNATIONAL
Tel. +44 (0)1993 778855
www.certikin.co.uk

COUNTRY LEISURE FIBREGLASS
Tel. +44 (0)1980 629555
www.countryleisure.co.uk

USTIGATE WATERPLAY
Tel. +44 (0)1322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

AQUA DROLICS
Tel. +31 499 393 540
www.aquadrolics.com