Ustigate Waterplay

CURTAIN RAISER – Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show 2021

Posted on October 28, 2021

CURTAIN RAISER

 

A ONE-STOP HUB of business inspiration, the Holiday Park Innovation show makes a welcome return this November.

CURTAIN RAISER

You will need to plan ahead to maximise the potential of your visit to The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show which makes a welcome return.
The not-to-be-missed event will be opening its doors at the NEC Birmingham on Wednesday and Thursday November 10 and 11.
Europe’s leading event for the most ambitious holiday park and resort owners, the show runs alongside the Farm Business Innovation Show, Family Attraction Expo, Leisure Food & Beverage Expo, Leisure Toy & Gift and the Leisure Transport Show.
With over 1000 exhibitors, 500 seminars and an outstanding schedule of keynote speakers, it will be benefcial to know exactly what to expect from the show and plan ahead, so if you want to make the most out of the two days, keep reading!
The show offers a unique opportunity to see the latest industry products in action in the Live Demo area. Be sure to make some time to visit this area and possibly even get involved yourself! You can see the live demo timetable on the website under ‘What’s On?’.
This year, the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show is launching its frst series of panel debates, where the leading industry experts will be discussing the latest industry topics. This will give you the opportunity to finally ask your burning questions and hear the answers live and in person. From renewable energy to marketing tactics to enhance your holiday park or resort, you do not want to miss this opportunity! Find the full schedule on the website under ‘What’s On?’ and look out for times to incorporate some of these incredible discussions into your day!

THE SHOW OFFERS a unique opportunity to see the latest industry products in action.

EXPERT PANEL
Industry experts from some of the biggest names and associations within the industry will be available at the show to provide their insights into the industry, knowledge, advice and tips and tricks to support you on your innovation journey. From the likes of former MP, Nick De Bois - Visit England, TV Presenter, Author & Designer, Max McMurdo, and Justin Reid from TripAdvisor, listen to the hottest topics and latest trends in the industry right now. Keep an eye out on the website under ‘Speakers’ for the full timetable, coming soon!

INNOVATION AWARDS
The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Awards will be recognising the companies who have gone above and beyond within the industry, celebrating those that are combining an unprecedented blend of innovation, creativity and uniqueness in their work and customer offering.
It is very important to pre-register for your tickets before attending the Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show this year, so register for your free tickets now before they are all gone! Doing so now also means you will receive your printed show guide delivered straight to your door, as well as access to the digital show guide, which includes the floor plan, full agenda, and everything you need to know about the show.
Log on to www.holidayparkshow.co.uk to check on latest information including vital covid guidance.

HOLIDAY PARK INNOVATION has earned itself as Europe’s leading event for the most ambitious holiday park and resort owners.

TRAVELLING TO THE NEC
If you decide to drive to the NEC, it is just 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre, and there are 16,500 spaces available in the car park, including plenty of helpful signage and a traffic team to ensure you get to the right area for your event. It is also very easy to catch the train as the NEC is right next to Birmingham’s international railway station. Visit the website and click on ‘Show Info’ to see full details about travel and parking, as well as bus & coach and taxi services.

OPENING TIMES
The Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show will open at 9am on Wednesday 10th November, and close at 5pm. The event will reopen at 9am again on Thursday 11th and close at 4:30pm. Make sure you go and register for your free tickets now before they are all gone and be on the lookout for your printed show guide so that you can plan ahead and make the most out of your time at the event!

A-Z OF MUST SEE EXHIBITORS

STAND 6153
Selling your Park?
BusinessesForSale.com is the world’s most popular website for buying or selling a business.
Established in 1996, the website is an international marketplace of businesses for sale. We provide a cost-effective route to market for business owners and their representatives and a one stop shop for aspiring entrepreneurs and business buyers.
The website is the world’s largest businesses for sale marketplace, attracting over 1.2 million buyers and sellers every month.
Whether you’re looking to get in, grow or get out, BusinessesForSale.com has everything you need. Come and speak to the team on the stand or browse a selection of our current opportunities at our Wall of Business.

Businessesforsale.com
www.businessesforsale.com

 

STAND 1140
Leading Wifi Provider
Reliable WI-FI is essential for your business to gain a competitive edge. It allows your guests to stay in contact with friends and family, whilst also keeping up to date with work emails whilst away. Today, your guests expect a WI-FI connection that is swift and secure. We pride ourselves on supplying effcient hard-wired WI-FI solutions and excellent customer service from our 7-day support team and our qualifed professionals with years of experience. Camping Connect ensures the provision of secure, family friendly Internet access in line with EU legislation and is a `Friendly WI-FI` registered WI-FI provider.

Camping Connect
01792 277 231
campingconnect.co.uk

 

STAND 7131
Washroom Solutions
Cubicle Centre has been manufacturing toilet cubicles, wall panels and washroom panel products for over 20 years. We offer a range of washroom cubicles and wall panel products to suit any budget from our Pennine range where function and price is a factor, through to our vandal resistant Cairngorm range.
At Holiday Park and Innovation 2021 we will be demonstrating our water proof Cairngorm range of toilet and shower cubicles along with made to measure vanity units with both recessed and semi recessed basin units.

Cubicle Centre
01484 457600
washroomcubicles.co.uk

 

STAND 5132
Futureproof Your Business
Leading provider of IT business solutions to the Holiday Home & Leisure Resort industry, Elite Dynamics, will be a specialist speaker at this year’s Holiday Park & Resort Innovation Show. MD Jamaine Campbell and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Lead Consultant, Andrew Blackie will be giving the audience key insights into how to futureproof and drive forward their holiday park businesses using readily available standard Microsoft Dynamics Technologies.
The team will showcase some of the newest and most innovative technology available on the market today, all of which has been specifcally designed for our industry and to future-proof your business.

Elite Dynamics
0161 641 8926
elitedynamics.co.uk

 

STAND 5091
Cloud Based Solutions
GemaPark is an internet-based Booking System designed to help you manage self-catering, glamping pods, and touring and camping.
From the interactive availability chart you can see all your bookings, blackout dates, add bookings and check availability and live pricing. An arrival day dashboard shows you today’s arrivals and departures including unit clean status. Online booking and online check-in can be integrated with your website with no commission to pay. Standard customer documents and ad-hoc emails can be sent directly from the system.
Netguides ensure GemaPark is PCI compliant and GDPR compliant. Whether you’re starting out or wanting to make life easier come and see us on our stand.

GemaPark
01983 282420
gemapark.co.uk

 

STAND 7180
Bring OnThe Heat!
Visitors are invited to stand 7180 where the Golden Coast team will be on hand to demonstrate its popular heat pump for pools and hot tubs.
Delivering output up to 13 times greater than an electric heater, a Golden Coast inverter-driven heat pump operates on a low current without compromising on performance and ensures whisper-quiet noise levels as low as 25dB. It even operates in low temperatures, enabling parks to continue offering enjoyable hot tub experiences all year round.
By using less electricity, the energy-efficient heat pump can help cut a park’s carbon footprint whilst saving thousands on running costs and allowing a faster return on investment.

Golden Coast
01271 378100
goldenc.com

 

STAND 8112
Stand Out From The Crowd!
Holiday Park Scene magazine is an unmissable read for anyone involved in the management of a Holiday Park, Campsite, Caravan Park & Glampsite. At least 5,000 copies of Holiday Park Scene are distributed four times annually to key personnel in all aspects of the holiday park industry across the UK and Eire.
Offering the inside track on the latest market news and reports covering all aspects of holiday park management.
We’re not just big in PRINT we have huge online coverage through our WEBSITE, EMAIL NEWSLETTERS & SOCIAL MEDIA!
If you would like to be featured in the magazine, we would love to hear for you.

Holiday Park Scene Magazine
01353 666663
holidayparkscene.com

 

STAND: 6081

WiFi Game-Changer
Holiday Parks no longer have to put up with nightmare broadband connections thanks to the introduction of ParkLink from Vital Wifi which enables super-fast speeds ‘Direct to the Van’ at a fraction of the cost of fibre.
It uses revolutionary technology designed to deliver consistently high-quality broadband across wide open remote outdoor sites.
ParkLink from Vital Wifi is a dedicated wireless package for holiday parks that provides fibre-like Internet speeds at a significantly lower cost of ownership without the disruption of installing fibre infrastructure.
New game-changing Internet distribution technology, used by ParkLink, is making reliable, park-wide high-speed Internet affordable and accessible to campsites, caravan and holiday parks.
Come and see us on our stand for more information.

ParkLink – Powered by Vital Wifi
0333 3583 111
parklink.co.uk

 

 

STAND 9213
Park Protect Scheme
The Park Protect scheme provides commercial insurance for more than 200 caravan parks up and down the country.
Having spent 15 years building strong relationships in the caravan and holiday park market you can be sure Park Protect will give you – the park owner – the protection you deserve.
Whatever type of leisure business you operate you need to stay up-to-date with legal changes, health & safety legislation, and issues that can affect your leisure property. Our knowledge and experience as specialist insurance brokers for the leisure industry means we tailor individual solutions to protect your employees and visitors.

PIB Insurance Brokers
01422 358 525
pib-insurance.com

 

STAND 10161
Award Winning Waterplay
Established in 1966, Ustigate have specialised in the design, build and maintenance of inclusive indoor and outdoor water play facilities for 55 years and have completed over 100 aquatic play installations to date. Ustigate Waterplay is excited to introduce over 300 products that promote active play; all designed and developed by their global leading aquatic partner of eighteen years, Vortex Aquatic Structures International Inc. The portfolio offers theming and an aquatic play favourite for every age and ability; incorporating climbing, sliding and multiple interactive activities via collections such as award winning Water Journey™, Elevations™ and Explora.

Ustigate Waterplay
01322 424445
ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

 

STAND 6270
Making Park Payments Easy
Make it quick and easy for your guests to pay for on-site facilities with a VMC cashless payment system. A seamless tap and go payment experience really adds value for the customer and is an opportunity to incentivise and increase visitor spend.
Our payment readers are ideal for catering and bar areas but can also be fitted to almost any unattended machine making them ideal for parking, charging, power, amusements, pool tables, laundry, bike hire, vending, and much more.
For parks wanting to incentivise and reward customers for onsite spend, VMC can also provide a private onsite payment system using branded cards, wristbands or biometrics.

VMC (UK) Ltd
01926 816400
vmcltd.co.uk

 

STAND 7242
Family Fun For Everyone!
For 50 years, World of Rides have been the leading UK manufacturer of children’s leisure rides in the United Kingdom.
From our factory in County Durham we supply major shopping centres, retailers, visitor attractions, farm parks, holiday parks, garden centres, family entertainment centres and hospitality centres both nationally and internationally, as well as leading single-site operators.
Our vast knowledge and experience ensures that every ride we manufacture and sell is rigorously tested both in the factory and on-site before being released for sale.
Come and see us on our stand for further information.

World of Rides
0191 49 20 999
worldofrides.com

 

GAME CHANGERS

Posted on May 5, 2021

GAME CHANGERS

THE BRIDLINGTON CENTRE has proven to be a huge success with an estimated 50,000 plus people visiting the facility in the first six weeks alone.

With more than 100 aquatic installations under their specialist belt, Ustigate’s aquatic play schemes are assembled for a variety of budgets. Experience and expertise enables Ustigate to respond efficiently to all enquiries, carrying out prompt site surveys, calculations and designs to allocated budgets for all sizes of projects both indoor and out. In conjunction with long term aquatic partner Vortex International, Ustigate’s product portfolio includes waterslides, Elevations™ play structures, the award- winning Water Journey™ collection and over 300 individual and interactive Splashpad® play items, with the majority being available with the Safeswap™ Anchoring System. Particularly thought-provoking for holiday destinations, the Safeswap™ Anchoring System provides clients with the ability to exchange features for alternatives in the future, without the need to break the ground again.

FRESH APPROACH
This system enables all water play facilities to stay fresh and modern for years to come and it also enables a water play facility to be built in phases. Each anchor can be capped, provided with a ground spray or home to an above ground feature. The Safeswap™ system is particularly helpful when building a water play project according to budget constraints as it enables the infrastructure to be placed in year one and an array of aquatic play products can be purchased annually and assembled over the course of, for example, a five year plan. A multi-site holiday park operator can also alternate products of the same flow rates between locations to keep visitors intrigued and entertained. Alternatively, or additionally, the joy of Splashpad® is a trend that has encompassed the nation and its popularity continues to grow. An area dedicated to a multitude of water play items, a splashpad is set in a zero standing water environment, making it entirely inclusive and 100% safe without any lifeguard requirement. The trend is fuelled by the inclusive pleasure involved and the fact aquatic play product development has come on a very long way. Twirltec™ enables children to turn products 360° and Orbs and Twistnozzle™ feature widely throughout the award winning Explora range, enabling children to move, twist, spin, splash and change the direction of the water jets.

DIPPY’S SPLASH ZONE has been successful at extending the length of a visit and has increased park revenues through added value sales

WATER JOURNEY
Ustigate Waterplay and Vortex have also recently added “bouncing and splashing” to their offered activities via “Hop” from their Water Journey™ collection. Hop encourages children to physically jump on three soft, padded stepping stones to be rewarded with a bigger and higher splash from the ground up. Water play has been proven to promote water confidence, happiness, excitement, exercise, cognitive behaviours and group play. All factors that aid and promote good health and social development. Interactive aquatic play is being incorporated indoors and outdoors to promote water confidence at a young age and to deliver good health and wellbeing for all ages and abilities. Being with friends and families and being active indoors and outdoors is what makes us happy, fit and strong and the pandemic has taken its toll on everyone’s physical and mental wellbeing because we have never spent more time at home indoors and away from our loved ones and activities. The negative impact of Covid closures has been great on humanity and the leisure, hospitality and aviation industries given all was brought to a standstill in 2020. The roadmap out of the Covid pandemic must also remain cautious to ensure we continue to move in the direction of a healthier and more positive future. Exercise and staying outdoors have been recommended the whole way through. An outdoor Splashpad® with several features and a recirculation system is certainly a safe, clean and exciting place to be. Inclusive water features such as the KirkleathamWalled Garden set the scene for peace and tranquillity, a shining example of Ustigate’s inclusive aquatic play schemes promote happiness and physical fitness for everyone involved.

Ustigate Ltd - Water Display Specialists
Tel. 01322 424445
www.ustigate.co.uk
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

The Fun Factor

Posted on July 10, 2018

The Fun Factor - Water Play

TheFunFactor

Think swimming, then think fun, with water leisure attractions one of the biggest draws for the modern holiday park destination.
Consistently one of the top holiday choice markers, a resort that offers the additional splash appeal, will reap the rewards, with not only a booking but those all-important repeat bookings. “More and more facilities are looking for resorts that offer more than just a pool,” explains Simon Smith of World Leisure. “Knowing how crucial it is to customer appeal, pools should be offering so much more than a basic swim,” he emphasises. World Leisure recently completed a £1.5m overhaul of the swimming pool facilities at Ribby Hall Village Holiday Park in Lancashire. Last December Ribby Hall won an unprecedented four Gold Awards at the UK Pool & Spa Awards. The new pool features new slides including a 48m interactive play slide. Swimmers can climb a tower to the top of the slide, which then takes them out of the building and back inside again. As they come down the slide, they can play an interactive touchpad game on the inside of the slide, with scores recorded once the ride is complete. Scores can be uploaded to social media platforms, with the top three scores displayed in the pool area. World Leisure also refurbished the splash pool and added an interactive aqua deck play structure, with tipping buckets and integral slides. A themed GRP (Glass Reinforced Polyester) toddlers’ pool links into the splash pool, with a slide and steps to open the pools up to all ages. World Leisure also installed a new sauna, steam room and feature showers, with all new filtration and controls. Mark Leech, senior manager of Ribby Hall Village, said: “It is important as a business to continually invest and improve the facilities we offer to our customers" Mark added: “We believe the new interactive slide and new splash pool features will be real talking points that will bring family visitors back again and again.”
Park operators need to provide appealing facilities for all age groups, with a typical water leisure offering including cannons, waterfalls, rain curtains, fl oor volcanoes and wall-mounted massage jets to add more attractions to the pools. Achieving this – and still providing an acceptable return on investment – requires very careful planning at the design stage, particularly where space is limited. Water slides and flumes have always been popular, but they require a significant capital investment, huge amounts of energy to drive massive pumps and constant life guarding.

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PLAY OFFERS WATER FUNPlayOffersWaterFun

The main aim of aquatic play equipment is to allow kids to have fun in a safe environment. Playing with water is also a vital part of a child’s development. Hippo Leisure’s modular play equipment, including Water Factories, Interactive Masts and Play Platforms are all extremely versatile products and can be expanded or updated to help to encourage regular, repeat visitors.
“What you’re aiming for in your facility is a way to keeping the whole family entertained, regardless of age or ability,” comments Teresa Metherell, Marketing Coordinator for Hippo Leisure. “This can be achieved by installing a variety of interactive water play features that provide both low level sensory play for toddlers as well as high level anticipatory and big splash play for older children and even adults,” she adds.
“It’s important to keep water play areas fresh and appealing.”

Hippo Leisure
Tel. 01752 771740
www.hippoleisure.com

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SPLASH PADS OFFER FAMILY APPEAL

SplashPadOfferFamilyAppealThe naturally inclusive and adaptable nature of a zero-depth splash park makes it an excellent amenity for holiday parks seeking to increase family attendance. Ustigate is a partner of Vortex International of Canada, offering a product portfolio of over 300 aquatic structures specifically designed to meet any specification, from low water consuming products for once use systems to super soaking buckets which create tidal waves.
The range includes many interactive free-standing products, the Water Journey collection, inspired by nature’s streams, and the Elevations range, are play structures that provide great combinations of water features between platforms of varying heights, encouraging children to climb and move between levels while engaging with children on and off the unit. The Elevations can be installed inside or outside, as part of a splash pad scheme or in a wading pool – They are designed to take fun to the max and are offered with a choice of water slides for the ride down.
Vortex is a world leader in aquatic play solutions, having completed 7000 installations in 45 countries, all of the products are renowned for being robust and innovative. Vortex recently announced the Explora collection has won two International Design awards, taking Gold in Leisure Games and Fun and Silver in the Social Impact category. Like all Vortex products, the Explora collection integrates a strong active play component that keeps children moving, pushing, pulling, spinning and exploring. The price of a typical splash pad depends mainly on three factors; size of the scheme, the type of water system – either a once-use or recirculating – and finally the selected water features. A typical once-use system would cost about £100,000 and the majority of recirculating systems are priced from £250,000.
Ustigate’s splash pad designers divide all waterplay installations into three bays; toddler, family and teen, in which they place specific products that are designed for each age group, therefore increasing play value and popularity. “By effective selection, combination and positioning of aquatic play features for your scheme, it will speak for itself and attract and retain customers naturally,” says Ustigate’s Ernie Hemming. “In addition, 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 playing!”

Ustigate Waterplay
Tel. 01322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

Swim Star Opens Devon Splash Pad

Posted on June 26, 2018

splash padSwim Star Opens Devon Splash Pad

Olympic Gold-medallist swimmer Liam Tancock took time out from the fast lane recently to open the new Splash Zone at Ladram Bay Holiday Park in East Devon. Set alongside the park’s main swimming pool, the 160m2 zone includes interactive water features, spray guns, and even a sea serpent that sprays water. The ocean-themed Splash Zone is part of a £1 million investment made by the family-owned park in the run-up to the 2018 summer season when its 75 anniversary is being marked. With its own private beach and longstanding appeal to young families, Ladram Bay has prided itself on continually expanding its range of attractions.

In 2017 Ladram Bay Holiday Park approached Ustigate Waterplay to request a design and build program to establish a splash zone outside their indoor pool complex. The splash pad consists of 19 products to please all ages. There is a low level interactive fi sh, six jet stream geysers and six wave geysers to tickle small children and a boat feature, tipping bucket, cannons and a sea serpent to cater for all those that love nothing more than being soaked in splash. One of the wonders of a splash pad with zero standing water is the creation of an environment where children of all ages and abilities can access aquatic recreation and play together safely.

Ladram Bay director Zoe House, who is a member of the parkowning Carter family, said it was a great privilege to welcome Exeter-based Liam to Ladram Bay: “Although the Splash Zone is all about having fun, Liam knows that youngsters just enjoying themselves in the water can be a great introduction to swimming as a sport,” she said. “We have many guests which return here year after year, and we’re often told that one big reason is the wealth of things to do for all ages, no matter what the weather. “Our main aim has always been to create amazing holiday memories with fi rst-class facilities, and I think that our new Splash Zone comes right up to the mark,” added Zoe.

Ustigate Waterplay
Telephone: 01322 424445
www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

Thrills And Spills

Posted on June 30, 2017

Thrills SPillsThrills And Spills

Water play is sure to keep guests returning year after year…

There’s no better time for enjoying the thrills and spills of water play than on a family holiday.

A holiday park that can offer a unique and exhilarating swimming experience is sure to score over it’s nearest rivals. Through smart design and a clever selection of features, any holiday park can transform their swimming pool into an exciting aquatic play space that guests will enjoy and want to return to on repeat visits. “Water play installations offer a range of benefits when compared to standard swimming or paddling pools,” explains Ernie Hemming of Ustigate Waterplay.

“Firstly, a water play installation uses water on demand, which is a more economical and cheaper solution as water will be consumed only when someone touches one of our activation bollards using considerably less water. Moreover, a water play installation provides countless hours of fun for all the family.”

Ustigate installed a bespoke splash zone at Dinosaur Adventure Park in Norfolk last year.

The allocated splash area had previously been home to long-standing old wooden outdoor play equipment which had become outdated so the park owners took the decision to reinvest in the area and give it a new lease of life. The new splash zone takes inspiration from the famous Dippy the Dinosaur, the mascot and one of the Dinosaur Adventure Park’s most popular attractions in order to attract and retain more customers on site.

HippoThe splash zone was divided into three bays which have range of play items designed for each age group - toddler, teen and family. The focal point is the huge ‘supersplash’ elevation consisting of a bucket that tilts over crashing onto a platform creating a mini-tidal wave soaking everyone in its spray zone. The fully PWTAG compliant filtration and recirculated water system ensures highest quality of water for children to play in.

EXPLORE OPTIONS

Ustigate’s Vortex sourced products offer the latest designs and features which are premium quality and competitively priced. The price of a typical splash pad depends mainly on three factors; size of the scheme, the type of water system that will be used - one use or re-circulating - and finally the selected water features. According to Ustigate, a typical once use system would usually cost between £50,000- £100,000 and a recirculating system costing £300,000- £500,000.

“Ensure you have explored all possible options as water installations can be expensive and time consuming,” comments Ernie. “Remember that the cheapest option may not always be the right decision in the long term as a significant drop in quality may lead to additional repair or alteration costs in the future or even worse closing of the water play installation. “Even though initial setup costs for a high quality and robust water system may be excessive this will be cost effective in the long run as the water system will be able to stand the test of time and demands of excited children.”

Leyland-based World Leisure recently completed a £1.5m overhaul of the swimming pool facilities at Ribby Hall Village Holiday Park in Lancashire, in just 12 weeks.

MAIN ATTRACTION Waterplay 1

The holiday park’s pool is well-known for its water slides and is used by members and visitors alike. It was given a refurbishment eight years ago but bosses at the attraction decided the time was right for a complete revamp, with added facilities to maintain interest for visitors.  The new pool features new slides including a 48m interactive play slide.  Members and guests are able to climb a tower to the top of the slide, which then takes them out of the building and back inside again.  As they come down the slide, they can play an interactive touchpad game on the inside of the slide, with scores recorded once the ride is complete.

To find out more about water play facilities please subscribe at Holiday Park Scene

Company Contacts

Certikin  Tel. 01993 778855  www.certikin.co.uk

Hippo Leisure  Tel. 01752 771740  www.hippoleisure.com

Ustigate Waterplay  Tel. 01322 424445  www.ustigatewaterplay.co.uk

World Leisure UK  Tel. 01777 284883  www.worldleisureuk.co.uk

 

 

 

Super Soakers

Posted on July 13, 2016

Super Soakers

Switched on park operators who maximise the water play experience will ultimately reap the rewards…

Water play is suitable and fun for all ages and all abilities, creates an ideal leisure space the whole family can enjoy together. Pic: WSL.

Water play is suitable and fun for all ages and all abilities, creates an ideal leisure space the whole family can enjoy together. Pic: WSL.

Come rain or shine, water play provides hours of fun for guests of all ages. From thrilling head-to-toe splashes to gentle sprays and fine mists, aquatic play features go a long way in enhancing the holiday experience.

Through smart design and a good selection of features, any holiday park can create an aquatic play space that guests will enjoy and want to return to on repeat visits.

“A great choice of water play product scan help any destination attract new visitors, and boost overall attendance,” says Richard Harrison, Director of Waterplay Solutions Ltd (WSL).

“Water play is suitable and fun for all ages and all abilities and creates an ideal leisure space the whole family can enjoy together. The naturally inclusive and adaptable nature of a zero-depth splash park makes it an excellent amenity for holiday parks seeking to increase family attendance.”

WSL has been working with Parkdean Holidays since 2015 and is installing an indoor water play area at Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Wales later this year. The bespoke design includes a water slide, tipping buckets, ground sprays and water jets. “There is an increasing demand for interactivity and discovery in aquatic play design,” Richard reveals. “For example, play features that introduce cause and effect functions help children develop intention and discover causal relationships. Features that engage motor skills, sensory stimulation create both a socially and emotionally rewarding play experience for children.”

Waterplay’s innovative new Cirque Collection is a design collaboration with world-renowned public space designer Markus Ehring and invites kids to push, spin, plug, and take aim with a whimsical group of features designed for user interaction. Kids can push down on the Boingo to make water shoot higher from the nearest ground spray, or spin the magic handle on the Ringmaster to activate surrounding features.

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

Richard adds: “We recommend that parks opt for products that are designed with a Detach and Exchange (DEX) System. This offers the flexibility of phasing your park installation, if subject to budget restraints, and changing your features over time. “For example, a DEX geyser ground spray in low, medium, or high flow can be installed initially, and then be replaced with an above ground feature later when money allows.”

Waterplay Solutions offer a flush-to-grade DEX anchoring system that eliminates the need for toe guards and combines clean design aesthetic with functionality and streamlined installation. Their extensive range of products are available in vibrant colour palettes and carry a 25-year warranty. Their industry-leading materials are non-toxic, durable and vandal resistant, and are carefully selected to ensure a safe play experience that stands the test of time.

In terms of cost, Richard advises that supply only prices can vary from a few hundred pounds for ground sprays up to several thousand for a slide activity centre: “A small water play area, when connected to an existing water management system can be achieved for around £50,000.

“A full turnkey solution for an aquatic play pad of 252m² with an array of Waterplay’s products, a wetpour safety surface and a brand new recirculation system can be achieved for £180,000,” he continues. “The sky really is the limit in determining exactly how much you would like to spend and how adventurous you would like your water play area to be.”

TIDAL WAVES

Ustigate Waterplay offers a vast range of over 300 aquatic structures designed to meet almost any specification.

Ustigate Waterplay offers a vast range of over 300 aquatic structures designed to meet almost any specification.

Ernie Hemming of Ustigate Waterplay advises: “Ensure you have explored all possible options as water installations can be expensive and time consuming. “Even though initial setup costs for a high quality and robust water system may be excessive this will be cost effective in the long run as the water system will be able to stand the test of time and demands of excited children.” Ustigate is a partner of Vortex International of Canada, offering a product index of over 300 aquatic structures specifically designed to meet almost any specification, from low water consuming products for once use systems to super soaking buckets which create tidal waves.

To read the full article, subscribe here.

Splash Attack

Posted on January 26, 2016
While major swimming pool investment can sometimes be ruled out on the basis of budget, splash pads offer an attractive alternative. Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

While major swimming pool investment can sometimes be ruled out on the basis of budget, splash pads offer an attractive alternative. Pic: Ustigate Waterplay

Splash Attack

Holiday parks, leisure resorts and commercial facilities across the country are reaping the benefits of dedicated water play areas.
With the fun factor at the top of visitor wish lists, it is vital for pool operators to continuously not just meet but exceed demands for safe and fun aquatic play.
“Commercial facilities are always looking for the next best thing and the end users are always looking for that wow factor,” says Simon Smith of World Leisure.
“In our experience, venues that invest in their water play offering reap the rewards in terms of added revenue, as the facility becomes attractive to a wider audience.”
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.”

Lagan Valley LeisurePlex boasts an Aquadek, which has been created to add interactivity and a kid’s waterslide to the facility. Pic: World Leisure.

Lagan Valley LeisurePlex boasts an Aquadek, which has been created to add interactivity and a kid’s waterslide to the facility. Pic: World Leisure.

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.
“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 specialise 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.
In terms of cost, Ernie advises that the price of a typical splash pad depends mainly on three factors; size of the scheme, the type of water system and the selected water features. A typical once use system would usually cost between £50,000- £100,000 and a recirculating system would cost between £300,000- £500,000.
Although initial set up costs might be higher for implementing higher quality, robust systems – it will pay off in the long run.
“Once the scheme is up and running as you reduce the chances of future mechanical failings, which may lead to severe repair costs or potential closure of the water installation,” says Ernie.
He continues: “As with just about everything, the more you look after something the more it will look after you.”

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Super Heroes

Posted on September 8, 2015

Super Heroes

Cost-effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping will maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

Cost-effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping will maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

A popular swimming pool is a must for the modern holiday park; number one for its undoubted pulling power in attracting and retaining visitors year on year.

On the flip side, the average holiday park swimming pool can present a huge drain on business resources both through upkeep and running costs as well as staffing overheads.

Operators find themselves under more pressure than ever to demonstrate effective energy efficiency and prudent housekeeping to maximise return on investment when it comes to swimming pools.

“Most people are now opting for energy efficient pools, more so than ever before,” comments Tim Bareham of Cresta Leisure. “It is partly down to an increase in environmental awareness generally, as well as the rise in energy prices, and of course the allure of cost savings that can be achieved over time.”

Tim adds: “Although energy efficient methods are generally more expensive to install, the benefits are huge. You’ve got to speculate to accumulate.”

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland has enjoyed a 25% reduction in gas and electricity usage in their swimming pool following the installation of Heatsavr.

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland has enjoyed a 25% reduction in gas and electricity usage in their swimming pool following the installation of Heatsavr.

Going ‘green’ is not only helpful in protecting the environment, but it can also translate into cost savings. If it were a superhero then Brenntag’s Heatsavr would have powers akin to the Invisible Man. The Heatsavr is a liquid pool cover that works by forming an invisible monolayer over the surface of the pool, preventing heat and moisture from escaping while the surface is unbroken. There are many other associated benefits that come with having a pool cover. Stopping evaporation also directly effects the quantity of chemicals used to maintain hygienic water conditions. By reducing evaporation you are also reducing the quantity of chemicals normally lost through evaporation. Having a pool cover also reduces the amount of contamination that enters the pool through the water surface, this will also have a direct effect on the rate of chemical consumption.

Deer Park Golf and Country club in West Lothian, Scotland had Heatsavr installed as part of an upgrade that also saw them have new boilers fitted. The work that was carried out saw a 25 per cent reduction in gas and electricity usage since the work was undertaken in August 2013. The country club had previously used a traditional pool cover, but it was ill-fitting because their pool is oval shaped. That meant that heat and moisture were still able to escape, as the cover was only partially effective. Heatsavr liquid pool cover reduces evaporation not only at night but also during the day when bathers are present in the water.

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Splash Landings

Posted on June 26, 2015
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