Swimming Pool

THRILLS AND SPILLS

Posted on April 27, 2022

THRILLS AND SPILLS

Why settle for a pool when you can have an aquatic playground…

BODY SLIDES or board ‘n rides come with huge visitor appeal.

With the vast array of add-ons that are now available, mean that even the most modest swimming pool can be transformed into an aquatic playgrounds. A plethora of waterslide options offer varying journeys at a choice of speeds and travel in either an open or closed flume. A great water attraction is one that provides a form of aquatic play for everyone. An aquatic feature should be designed and developed to spontaneously entertain many visitors throughout its hours of operation. Body slides and waterslides sometimes require a raft to board and ride with some starting inside, venturing outside before completing the journey back indoors.

A GREAT WATER attraction is one that provides a form of aquatic play for everyone.


TOUCH PADS

Start and stop systems, with touchpad sensors and speedometers for competitive games, offer special effects such as LED rings, transparent sections and video projectors that provide virtual reality experiences. Boasting a fleet of engineers and an impressive 56 years of experience, aquatic play specialists, Ustigate, meet every enquiry with fresh eyes. Ustigate provide a full turnkey solution in the design, build and maintenance of water attractions and are proud to have designed and built over 100 water features and more than 100 aquatic play facilities as they approach their sixth decade in business.

“Our team expertise and experience expands with every project and more knowledge coupled with evolving modern technology enables us to conserve more and utilise wisely,” explains Ustigate’s Michelle Minns-Sykes. “It is an exciting industry to work in and our collaborations, team, partnerships and products enable us to move with the times and remain at the height of aquatic innovation and efficiency,” Michelle continues. “Our dedication is enhancing inclusive aquatic environments for everyone to enjoy whether it be a calming water feature or a large tipping bucket or faster flume that thrills.”

USTIGATE was a key supplier in the award-winning The Wave swimming pool design in Coventry.

UNIVERSAL APPEAL

Offering to deliver an inclusive aquatic play scheme that is fun for friends, families, all ages and abilities, Ustigate partner with global aquatic play giants, Vortex, for projects and products that have proven to last the test of time. “The best factor in our line of work is the ability to excite and exercise an inclusive audience at the same time,” says Michelle.

Ustigate Waterplay and Vortex International now offer much more choice and much more play value; there is a choice of 150+ Splashpad® Products and plentiful ground sprays too. The majority of the products are available with a Safeswap™ anchor enabling the exchange of products in the future, without the need to break the ground. A Safeswap™ anchor can be seen with an above ground item, a ground spray or capped.

This enables a splashpad to be built in phases and it also ensures the aquatic play facility will remain modern in years to come as new products can be easily introduced in the future. It is not just the product choices that have upped the aquatic play game. Vortex have incorporated a number of technologies into their product line; making play items more interactive and aquatic play activities more physical and fun.

EVEN MODEST SPACES can be transformed into an aquatic playgrounds. Pic. Ustigate.

INTERACTIVE FUN

Examples are the award-winning Explora collection that engages children to move, push, pull, spin and splash and a family of flush mounted features called Hop that invite children to bounce and splash. The technologies Turntec™ and Twirltec™ invite children to rotate features a full 360° which places the water direction in their excitable hands. Features that include Twirltec™ also provide the ability to rotate and create attractive, spiralling water patterns.

Ground sprays are offered in all shapes, sizes and heights; some arrive with gusto and others provide a nice gentle water effect, perfect to tickle the toes of novices arriving to experience water play for the first time. “A benefit of water play is that it engages children to interact with each other and this promotes positive social development,” Michelle points out. “The aquatic play activities that excite and exercise promote both physical and mental wellbeing.

Michelle says: “Timescales are generally no more than 12 weeks to finalise a design, procure, construct, complete, carry out a water test, commission, provide staff training and handover. “There is not a generic figure that can be produced for a project because all projects are unique in terms of the scheme, location and installation – the play value, plant room and connection to services.” An enquiry begins with gathering information, a meeting, site survey and design brief. So start gathering those aquatic play ideas straight away.

Ustigate Water Play
Tel. 01322 424445
sales@ustigate.co.uk
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

THREE REASONS TO ACT STRATEGICALLY TO ENSURE HOLIDAY PARK FIRE SAFETY

Posted on April 13, 2022

THREE REASONS TO ACT STRATEGICALLY TO ENSURE HOLIDAY PARK FIRE SAFETY


Fire constitutes one of the biggest risks to the total loss of a park home, and with many sites often at lower capacity or closed during off-season, upgrading site safety and efficiency should be a top priority for site managers. Tom Ambler, sales manager for leisure at Ramtech, shares the three reasons to consider more strategic site safety management, as sites reopen for the busy spring/summer season.

Safeguard parks and people

Winter and spring is the ideal time to review a site and prepare it for the busier Easter and summer period. This should vitally include fire safety standards - as once peak season is here and the warmer weather attracts more visitors, the heat, coupled with popular campsite activities such as fires and barbecues, can be a real melting pot in terms of park accidents.
Recent fire reports provide a stark warning to site owners, including how fire crews battled a large blaze at a Dorset holiday park, showcasing the chaos that fire can wreak. Fortunately, no more than property damage was the outcome on this occasion, but investing in the appropriate safety measures ahead of time, can help to reduce fire risk and help to stop a blaze quickly with the right detection in place.
Preparing a site in advance of opening, by checking that the current fire safety system is working, is advisable. Any faulty wiring or machinery - particularly relating to power generators for homes or common buildings - as well as the threat of arson and vandalism should be front of mind all year around.

Meet regulations with confidence

Currently, holiday park site owners have a legal obligation to manage fire safety under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (“the FSO”). The act applies to all non-domestic premises including certain types of parks, such as those with common areas in leisure complexes, restaurants and guest houses. With park residents often mingling in these types of campsite community buildings, the threat to human life is very real.
Just a few years ago, there was an incident at a leisure facility on a campsite near Newquay, which resulted in extensive damage to several communal buildings including a swimming pool, sauna and gym. So, not only is protecting against fire a requirement under the FSO, it is also vitally important to avoid the financial implications, which can be huge. A fire forces site owners into a massive rebuild operation, potentially putting them out of action for a season for more.
A system, like Ramtech’s WES3, places the power in site owners’ hands. It’s an EN54-25 compliant connected device, that can be deployed at various points across holiday parks on stands. It acts as an emergency response system, with automatic smoke and heat detectors responding to site incidents and maintaining 24/7 coverage through the CONNECT unit, otherwise known as the brains of the system.
The WES3 is also IP55 rated, which means they are suitable for outdoor areas and won’t be affected by varying weather conditions. What’s more, the CONNECT system ensures off-site notifications can also be enabled, informing site owners and even alerting emergency authorities.

Get real time data to protect and improve your park

While sites must ensure that fire safety is robust, other park management features that support the efficient and daily running of the park, are also welcome. This is where technology has evolved to help answer these added value requirements at the same time as emergency response needs.
WiSE, for instance, is a reliable business information and monitoring platform providing real time alerts, data and information about security coverage. For holiday park operators, WiSE can also extend your existing security and fire system coverage, reducing the complexity and cost of enhancing your risk management systems.
The WiSE wireless security solution gives you peace of mind that your holiday park business and on-park properties are being securely monitored 24/7. Powered by long-life batteries and connected to a reliable radio technology, the system allows thousands of devices to be linked to a central base station that creates an instant alert via email, text or pager. WiSE is not dependent on SIM or WiFi to function, which is great for sites with little or no data or internet coverage.

For more information on how Ramtech’s solutions can help protect holiday park sites, visit https://ramtechglobal.com/

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

Posted on October 28, 2021

TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH SPATEX VISIT

SPATEX is a must visit for water leisure features from hot tubs to swimming pools and much more besides.

Thinking of installing a hot tub or swimming pool or updating your current facilities? Then SPATEX 2022, at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Tues 1st to Thurs 3rd February, is a must-attend event.
As the UK’s only dedicated annual exhibition, entering its 25th year, over one hundred companies, from home and abroad, will display their latest models and innovations.
Free to attend, it provides holiday park owners with all you need to know about water leisure features such as spas, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, swimming pools, enclosures and much more besides.
With the latest money-saving innovations - energy-saving is the cornerstone of the show’s agenda, you can tap into expert advice from some of the world’s top water leisure experts on hand, access free advice for your existing or future project.
Talks and demonstrations in the show’s free-to-attend, three-day double seminar and workshop programme will focus on how to save time and money. CPD points and a certificate of attendance are awarded to all attendees of the ISPE (Institute of Swimming Pool Engineers) workshops.
Make your first point of call, the SPATEX Help Desk at the entrance to be pointed in the right direction and don’t forget The Big Reunion - SPATEX’s free to attend 25th anniversary networking party on Wednesday after the show closes at 5pm with free drinks, canapes and lots of industry chat.
The Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry CV6 6GE is easy to get to - just 500 yards of the M6 and within two hours commuting time of 75 per cent of the population that ofers 2,000 free on-site car parking spaces.
Register now at www.spatex.co.uk

PLANS TO DEVELOP DEVON LAKES

Posted on August 6, 2021

PLANS TO DEVELOP DEVON LAKES

CLAWFORD LAKES RESORT and Spa in Devon is scheduled to open this Autumn

Private equity-backed holiday operator Lakeshore Leisure Group has secured planning permission to develop Clawford Lakes, a stunning 80-acre property in Devon that is set to open this Autumn. Lakeshore Leisure Group is a UK leisure brand offering high quality holiday accommodation including self-catering rental cottages and lodges, hotel accommodation and privately owned lodges across three Devon locations; Otter Falls, Lakeview Manor and Clawford Lakes.

Acquired in 2019 with initial investment from Kings Park Capital, Clawford Lakes in Holsworthy, north west Devon is an holiday resort comprising of 17 man-made fishing and recreation lakes and 24 self- catering units, as well as a large bar and restaurant. With planning permission now approved, work is now underway on the major redevelopment which will include the build of 144 luxury lodges, 13 bespoke angling pods, seven unique luxury cocoons, nine floating lodges, and a Scandinavian- inspired spa with swimming pool and treatment rooms, set aside a stunning central lake. Lakeshore Leisure Group has also secured exclusive rights to the luxury cocoon units in the UK.

The new luxury holiday lodges will be available for both holiday rentals and for purchase as pre-furnished holiday homes, available to use year-round and with the option of subletting on a managed site. The refurbished Apple and Grape bar and restaurant will showcase dishes created using a variety of local produce and will also welcome local visitors. There will be a small provisions and fishing tackle shop on site, to support the high-quality fishing lakes, which have been invested in and restocked. In addition, leisure water sports will be added in 2022 including paddle boarding, kayaking, open water swimming and canoeing, and the new swimming pool and spa will open, all forming part of the visitor experience.

FIFTH MVP AWARD FOR VORTEX

Posted on August 6, 2021

FIFTH MVP AWARD FOR VORTEX

Available in the UK via Ustigate, Vortex has received a Most Valuable Products award in 2021 for its Astra collection, as voted for by the readers of Aquatics International Magazine.
The new Astra offers three unique Splashpad® experiences, each with its own fun. Astra No.1 and No.3 provide a halo of water which rains down from above for children to run through. No.3 also features a Twirltec™ ball so children can rotate the water stream to create a beautiful spiral pattern. With three spilling Seeflow™ buckets, Astra No.2 encourages social interaction. Many children can play at once, and anticipation builds as the children see the buckets fill up before they spill.

Ustigate Water Play
Tel. 01322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

STRATOSPHERIC SEASON AHEAD

Posted on December 16, 2020

STRATOSPHERIC SEASON AHEAD

Park Holidays UK is plunging £2 million into the building of a new luxury pool at Dovercourt Holiday Park in Harwich – and says its bracing itself for a staycation year ‘like no other’ in 2021. The group reports that it has given the green light to new investments across its 30-plus holiday parks as bookings for next year hit ‘stratospheric’ levels. “Make no mistake, Britain will be the place to be on holiday in 2021 and we are going to be ready for it,” says Park Holidays UK director Tony Clish. “Families will be seeking-out top quality experiences in this country as a substitute for going abroad, and that’s just what we intend to deliver,” he continued. “The group will be investing heavily this winter both in its leisure facilities, and in top quality accommodation such as luxury lodges, so nobody will feel they are getting second best.”

Many of next year’s bookings are from families who took a staycation this year and were amazed by how much more enjoyable it was than an overseas holiday. “Less hassle, less cost, beautiful countryside and coasts, and so much more for kids to enjoy - the time is now right for Britain to play up to its greatest strengths” said Tony. Work on Dovercourt’s new swimming pool began this month, and it’s planned that park guests will be dipping their toes in the water from next March with the complex’s interior decked out in a nostalgic seaside theme, plus pool-side relaxation areas and cascading slides.. Next year is likely to be the park’s busiest on record, according to Park Holidays UK. ”We do normally start to receive a flow of bookings around autumn across the group for the following year’s holidays, but this time it’s turned into a deluge,” said Tony. “We are responding by channelling major investments into our parks this winter and making sure that guests will have all of their expectations exceeded.”

Park Holidays
Tel. 0191 256 0795
www.ParkHolidays.com

THE NEW NORMAL

Posted on September 8, 2020

THE NEW NORMAL - Swimming Pool Focus

Step up your duty of care pool protocols in light of the pandemic…
In the light of the global pandemic, it has never been more vital to show duty of care for your holiday park swimming pool users. You don’t just need to follow the guidance. You need to evidence you are following that guidance. Swim England has published and is constantly updating comprehensive Return to Pools Guidance to coincide with the government controlling lockdown measures. All available through the Swim England website and easily downloadable, five detailed documents have been created and are based on the latest scientific advice and government guidelines. The guidance includes robust recommendations for operators, casual swimmers, lane swimming, family-fun sessions, club activity, teachers and those attending swimming lessons. “As pools reopen, it will not be a case of ‘business as usual’ and we know that things will have to be different, but if we are to play our part in protecting the NHS from another wave of Covid-19 admissions, it is important we follow the latest guidance and adjust to the new ‘normal’,” comments Jane Nickerson, Chief Executive, Swim England The Swim England information aims to support operators in re-opening swimming facilities following the period of closure, due to Covid-19, and provides guidance on reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission within the swimming pool environment.

 

HYGIENE REGIMES

The information highlights the continued requirements for safe social distancing and enhanced hygiene regimes, along with guidance on how this will impact on the operational management of swimming facilities. The guide also includes details on getting pools back to operational requirements, certification, programming, understanding the new needs of users coming out of isolation (especially the most vulnerable) and protecting and training the workforce. Operators should have a dedicated officer responsible for Covid-19 considerations, making sure that they are up to date with central or local government recommendations. If your pool water is chlorine-treated to Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) guidelines, you can state, with confidence, that Covid-19 should not be transmissible through the swimming pool water. It is worth noting that most air conditioning systems do not need adjustment, Swim England advises, however where systems serve multiple buildings, or operators are unsure, advice should be sought from an appropriate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer or adviser.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

Maintaining social distancing is paramount in order to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid 19 between participants, this is important both whilst in and out of the water.
Distance: The greater the distance between participants the lower the level of risk of transmission via air droplets.
Activity: The way in which participants move during the activity will determine how you can control the above two parameters, for example lane swimming is a controlled setting where participants are guided to swim in a set direction.

THE BREAN SPLASH POOL not only serves holiday park guests, but also to the local community.

The swimming pool industry is urging holiday park operators to urgently have their swimming pool check plantrooms and water testing systems by appropriately qualified specialists. “Following extended shutdowns, we have to warn holiday swimming pool operators, they are potentially returning to the most dangerous pathogens lurking in pool water,” warns Dyfed Thompson-Smith of leading supplier, AstralPool UK. “Follow correct procedures including bacteriological tests in case there has been any significant break in disinfection. “It is not scare-mongering,” he emphasises. “It is just being sensible.” Pool users too are being urged to comply with guidance including arriving ready to swim, showering away from the pool and changing rooms, and leaving he pool as soon as possible after swimming. Pool users are reminded to respect people of different swimming standards and abilities, always maintaining appropriate social distance between yourself and another swimmer.

Swimmers need reminding that if they change their pace, by opting for a slower stroke, they may have to switch designated speed lanes while staying hydrated by bringing their own ‘prefilled’ water bottle on to poolside during your swim. Meanwhile, Swim England has pleaded with the Government to ensure swimming doesn’t become leisure’s ‘forgotten activity’ – after it was revealed almost a third of public pools could remain closed for another six months. However, less than 20 per cent of local authority-owned facilities will welcome swimmers back into the water on reopening day – and many of those will be at a reduced capacity. New research also shows 30 per cent of public pools may remain closed into 2021 due to the exceptional costs councils face to reopen facilities – coupled with the income lost during the lockdown period.

 

Hot Tub Expo Bubbles Over

Posted on January 16, 2020

Hot Tub Expo Bubbles Over

Awash with hot tubs, the UK’s only dedicated water leisure exhibition, SPATEX 2020, takes place from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th January at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena. For those looking to invest in hot tubs or swimming pools, the event is a must-attend event, with many exhibitors under one roof, including a vast choice of spa companies. SPATEX hosts a double programme of free seminars and workshops on all three days to help you hone water leisure skills.

Check out the website at www.spatex.co.uk to find out more and to register for free attendance.

Top Swimming Pool Honour For Butlin’s

Posted on January 16, 2020

Top Swimming Pool Honour For Butlin’s

ABOVE: Butlin’s Bognor Regis water complex has been named Holiday Park Pool Of The Year 2019.

The Art Deco influenced pool building represents a £40m water leisure investment staffed by a 48-strong daily team. The only pool in the world that has a Helter-Skelter, the pool centre also features a wave pool with themed music that has a Pool Party with DJ on every Peak Break!

Butlin’s seaside-themed, Bognor Regis swimming complex, has scooped the title of Holiday Park Pool Of The Year for 2019, in the recent UK Pool & Spa Awards.

A Lido Pool with beach huts allows bathers to relax and unwind with, another feature, a Stick of Rock designed slide that is 26m from top to bottom. All the slides joined together measure a combined total of 478 metres. A 12 metre high Adrenaline Flume with weather effect light strips throughout its journey while a family raft ride accommodates up to three people at a time. Jon Hendry-Pickup, Butlin’s Managing Director said: “The pool has already thousands of our guests have been able to combine fun, thrills, waves and flumes.

“Feedback so far has been glowing and justifies the time spent listening to our guests so that we delivered what they want and need,” he said, adding: “Our aim was to create an experience that takes our Bognor resort to a whole new level and ensures we continue to be at the forefront of British family breaks. We believe we’ve done exactly that.” Part of Bourne Leisure Ltd which also owns Warner Leisure Hotels and Haven Holidays, Butlin’s has three beach side resorts, Bognor Regis (West Sussex), Minehead (Somerset) and Skegness (Lincolnshire) and welcomes around 1.5m guests annually.