Aquatics International | Waterparks + Resorts

WATERPARKS + RESORTS

Show and Tell
Check out these ‘best in class’ attractions, now available in 2012.

Rewarding Loyalty

Take good care of your season pass holders.

Sweet Dreams

View Dream Island, a new indoor waterpark in Ukraine.

Put on a Show

Aqua-tainment can add value to your waterpark.

It Book

View 2011’s top waterparks and resorts.

Sensational Spas

Restorative extras keep guests coming back for more.

Riding the Current

Three ways to amp up the style & value of your brand.

FEATURED CONTENT

Trends & Ideas • Check out the next wave of waterpark attractions. • Thriving in today’s financial market means understanding its driving forces — and how to make them work for you. • Protecting the planet isn’t just a fad. Here’s why experts say the resort industry’s green movement is here to stay.		Design • Mixed-use developments are generating positive returns. • Heat-recovery units vs. dehumidification? • Indoor waterpark operators need to take care to maintain guest comfort. • Designing your waterpark resort as a whole means increased efficiency.

Facility Operations • Is it time for your facility to change the menu? • Best practice strategies for maintaining your waterpark. • AI University: Facility operations course.		Business • Using fans to reduce energy use — and save money. • Tools to make your online marketing campaigns successful in traffic and revenue. • What’s good for the Earth can be great for the bottom line.

Project Profiles • An aviation theme takes this facility to new heights. • A Turkish resort brings a waterpark to the woods. • This rooftop pool complex is a model of modern engineering. • Canada’s largest theme waterpark debuts. • A New York ski haven has become an aquatic paradise. • A Texas waterpark operator is bringing big fun and tourist dollars to the Midwest.		Technology • How one facility dealt with poor indoor air quality. • With the interactivity of the Web comes the risk involved with free speech: guest critiques.

TALKING POINTS

• Winter is a time to think about making changes to your operational policies. AI Connect member Kimberly Moore of Traverse City, Mich., asks: What’s your policy on head lice?

“Chlorine does not necessarily kill lice, nor is water a transmittable medium. However, it makes for bad public policy to knowingly allow persons with lice to occupy public spaces because these are potentially disease-carrying parasites. It would probably be a good idea to check with your local health department to see if lice infestations are mandated reporting.”
— AI Connect member Joe Batarse, Azusa, Calif.

TIPS & TIDBITS

• Make sure your staff walks out wearing hats and winter-appropriate outerwear when leaving your indoor waterpark, especially after in-water, in-service nights. Wearing a hat over wet hair will help keep body heat in and, it is hoped, aid in keeping your staff healthy all winter long.
— Daylene Stroebe, general manager, Kalahari Resort - Wisconsin Dells

• Take time in the off-season to do a complete inventory and eliminate anything you don’t need or use, so you can maintain adequate storage space. We all know how hard it is to do this in the spring, when everything can pile up on you.
— Stephanie Hee, marketing specialist, NRH2O Family Water Park

• Develop a comprehensive leadership training program for your supervisors. You might buy them each a leadership/ management book to read and discuss how it applies to their departments throughout the season.
— Jessica Steinberg, director, Magic Waters Waterpark and the Aquatics Department, Rockford Park District

• Schedule burner maintenance for your indoor waterpark in early fall so heat recovery units are prepared for the drop in overnight temperatures that the season brings.
— Chuck Dickenson, director of special projects, and Luke Borowy, aquatics manager, H2ooohh Indoor Waterpark, Split Rock Resort & Golf Club

• Keep in touch with seasonal employees via email, Facebook and Twitter.
— Sarah Szymanski, aquatics coordinator, Baytown Parks & Recreation

• For indoor waterparks with slides that run outside the building, consider plugging
(with ridged foam plugs) the bottom of the slides at night to keep the cold air out.
— Patrick Johnson, waterpark facility manager, Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark at Silver Mountain Resort