Blast Off Bay Waterpark Goddard, Kan.
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Architect: Hanney & Associates Architects
Aquatic Designer/Aquatic Consultant: Waters Edge Aquatic Design
Pool/Spa/Waterfeature Contractor: Treescapes
General Contractor: Rock Construction
MEP Engineer: Hoss & Brown Engineers
Civil Engineer: Certified Engineering Design
Structural Engineer: BSE Structural Engineers
Blast Off Bay Waterpark
Goddard, Kan.
Architect: Hanney & Associates Architects
Aquatic Designer/Aquatic Consultant: Waters Edge Aquatic Design
Pool/Spa/Waterfeature Contractor: Treescapes
General Contractor: Rock Construction
MEP Engineer: Hoss & Brown Engineers
Civil Engineer: Certified Engineering Design
Structural Engineer: BSE Structural Engineers
Blast Off Bay offers family-oriented fun with a nod to Wichita’s aviation heritage.
Cessna, Boeing and Beechcraft, among other iconic aircraft companies, had a presence in the city, providing ample inspiration for an out-of-this-world waterpark.
The designers sought to blend retro and futuristic elements within an imaginative outer space theme. This provides a backdrop not only to fun and whimsical play features that match the theme, but also houses practical amenities such as a 10-lane competition pool and a shallow, warm-water training pool.
Sky-high inspiration
Wichita’s aviation legacy dates to 1927, when Clyde Cessna began manufacturing small aircraft. During WWII, the city’s aviation industry boomed, with the birth of Boeing’s B29 bombers establishing Wichita as a hub for aircraft innovation. The industry remains a source of pride and economic strength.
With this as a backdrop and the nearby Cosmosphere Space Museum providing inspiration, Blast Off Bay reflects the region’s aviation roots.
Planets appear to float, suspended from dark ceilings. Waterfeatures recall the golden age of space exploration — in one case, with a rocket capsule appearing to blast over a jet of water. The result makes visitors feel like astronauts trekking through the cosmos.
The playful design also provides space for serious-minded swimmers. A dedicated training and instruction space holds a 10-lane competition pool, along with a shallow, warm-water teaching pool and bleacher seating. This area serves swim teams by housing swim meets. It additionally provides a fitness space for hotel guests and members of a local health club.
A floor-to-ceiling glass wall separates the play and training areas to accomplish two seemingly contradictory goals: Offering a sense of isolation and privacy while unifying the facility.
Designers made smart use of the feature-packed 12,634-square-foot space with slides that extend both inside and outside the facility. Captivating light effects inside the slides underscore the retro-futuristic ambiance.
The facility engages visitors of all ages with a mix of features, including a zero-depth entry with slides for little swimmers, large dumping buckets, larger slides and a surf machine for thrill seekers.
Newbies can receive lessons in a warm water teaching pool, while a current channel provides more opportunities for relaxation or activity.
A hot tub has a beverage bar that serves adults looking for a spot to cool their jets.
Spectators can find ample seating in the surrounding bleachers, as well as cabanas to provide a bit more privacy.
SUPPLIERS:
Controller/control systems: SB Control Systems
Filtration: WaterCo; United Industries SwimTime
Heaters: Raypak
Interactive waterfeatures: Splashtacular
Pumps: Pentair; Grundfos
Slides: Splashtacular
Wave machines: Pacific Surf Designs
