As the upcoming season approaches, be sure you’re ready to curate positive experiences and memories all summer long! Keep reading for some recommendations as you prepare your aquatic center for the year.
Intentionally Evaluate Spaces
To begin any pre-season checklist, we recommend intentionally evaluating amenities for potential improvements and making a plan centered around those aspects. Some common areas of improvement that can have a significant impact on guest experience and facility management include:
Shade and seating options
Multi-generational engagement opportunities
Accessible features and amenities
Areas prone to incident reports
Drinking fountains, bathrooms, and locker rooms
Surface and fixture maintenance
Improve Aquatic Center Safety
Improving safety at aquatic centers often begins with adding safety surfacing to directly influence positive play value. Hazards such as slip-and-fall incidents are reduced and guests are more likely to engage in good risky play such as hopping, skipping, and playing in water.
Resolving Slippery, Failing Surfaces
Some of the most common pain points we hear involve slippery or abrasive surfaces that are difficult to maintain. These issues often lead to increased risk at facilities.
We're often contacted by parks and recreation professionals who have tried other surfacing solutions at their aquatic facilities which have failed. Rubberized or aggregate materials are often designed for dry playgrounds and aren't engineered to withstand the unique aquatic combination of UV and chemicals common at splash pads or pool decks.
To resolve these surfacing issues, choose an NSF/ANSI/CAN 50 Certified product that is slip-resistant, cushioned, impermeable, cleanable, UV resistant, and chemical resistant.
Cleaning and Hygiene
Others have looked to improve cleanability or have struggled with microbe growth on the surfacing at their facilities. Unlike porous options, Life Floor features a closed-cell technology, which doesn’t foster growth of bacteria, mold, and algae. Our tiles have been third-party tested for cleanability and offer a solution for anyone who has experienced similar issues.
Water Slide Landings
An easy, low cost way to improve safety at any facility is to install bolt-free landing pads for water slide exits and landings. These landing pads are cushioned and slip-resistant without being abrasive. Made from the same material as Life Floor tiles, they are also more durable than some multi-layered options.
Elevate the Appearance of Aquatic Amenities
If you are considering refreshing the overall design aesthetic of a facility, there are several components to consider.
Surface Updates
Surfacing can completely transform the look and feel of a facility since it is typically the largest feature present. Utilize this opportunity to create an engaging pattern under and around play fixtures, incorporate games such as hopscotch, or include thematic Inlays that add visual interest and function as a subtle search-and-find activity.
When planning for a surfacing update, consider using safety surfacing and including the overspray area to improve the overall safety of guests.
Before: Concrete Surface
After: Life Floor Surface
Fixture Updates
Fixture updates can be as simple as repainting or repairing existing features. If you want to increase play value for guests, consider upgrading fixtures to new models that facilitate collaborative play.
Before
After: Waterplay Fixtures
Maintenance Updates
As you continue to evaluate updates for the season, check to ensure pumps, filtration, and systems are operating within manufacturer specifications. Fixture manufacturers have specific flow rate recommendations for their features and operating outside of those recommendations can result in weak flows that are boring or overly strong flows which can dissuade play.
Restoring slides, stairs, and other fiberglass materials can ensure operational success. Restoration experts can do site evaluations that will help you determine the areas of facilities that need attention.
Refer to manufacturer’s specifications for proper flow rates and maintenance procedures.
Image Credit: Fischer Brothers, LLC.
REFRESH Existing Aquatic Centers
Existing aquatic centers are valued as key amenities by communities and resorts across the world. Keeping them in good operating status is important for guest enjoyment and returning visitors.
Consider what elements of your existing aquatic center could benefit from a refresh and prioritize based on your unique needs. Often, guest feedback is an ideal way to better understand the pulse of how visitors are perceiving amenities. Use this feedback to help inform what would be the most appreciated updates and have the greatest positive results.
Before: Concrete and Fading Fixtures
After: Life Floor and Refreshed Fixtures
Overall, as you continue to evaluate facilities for the upcoming season, have fun! Bright pops of color, imaginative designs, and new features have the potential to transform a space. Even small improvements transform the way splash pads, pool decks, and aquatic centers look and function. Thoughtful design contributes meaningfully to guest experience and creating positive memories to keep them coming back all season long.
To learn more about how Life Floor’s surfacing solutions can help get your facility ready for the upcoming season, contact us today! We can connect you to our partners who specialize in spray and play fixtures, water slides, multi-level play structures, fiberglass restoration, and more.