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To transform an outdated dry rides leisure park built in the early 1960s which had declining patronage and high maintenance costs into New Zealand’s first fully-themed, year-round waterpark. The project was required to be completed within a tight time frame and a fixed-ceiling budget.
- A 320m long lazy river ride - the first of its kind in New Zealand.
- Five hydroslides comprising a double tube ride, twin speed slides, an open chute and closed chute slide complete with exit pools.
- A 25m diameter outside toddlers’ pool with probella.
- A leisure pool with pirate fortress, water cannons and tipping bucket.
- Indoor heated pools and spas in a new building.
- Summer volleyball courts converting to an ice rink in winter.
- New mini-golf and children’s playtown.
- Upgraded entry, restaurant and administration building.
During the development phase LHTDesign advised Logan Brewer Production Design on the facilities to be provided, preliminary ideas on the slide tower, lazy river, outdoor pools and obtaining efficient year-round usage of the hot pools. Preliminary estimates were provided for the pools, water quality plant, pumps, heating systems and ice rink. Following the appointment of RDT Pacific as project managers, LHTDesign's tasks included:
- All civil and structural design.
- Design of buildings in conjunction with Logan Brewer. LHTDesign advised on the complete design and detailing of the slide tower, plant rooms, bridges etc. and on insulation and vapour barriers, acoustic ceilings, linings, etc. in the hot pools building.
- Filtration and treatment for all pools and pumping for the lazy river.
- Fire design.
- Day-to-day observation and contract administration of all works on behalf of all designers and liaison with the project managers. (The remainder of the design team were all remote from Hastings).
Splash Planet was undertaken on a very tight timeline. Design commenced in mid March 1998 and the facility was completed and open to the public in late December 1998. Given the complexities of the project this was a satisfying result, all the more so since the project was completed under budget for $6.1M. Since opening, Splash Planet has operated with no major difficulties. It has maintained its initial attractiveness and there are no signs of deterioration. In its first year of operation the facility attracted over 200,000 visitors.
For a client’s perspective on this project contact The Chairman, Hastings Tourism Facilities Trust. Phone: (06) 876 8096.
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