Category Archives: Aquatic Facilities

Liquid Pool Covers: Reducing Evaporation Results In Significant Energy Savings

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The City of Thunder Bay selected the Volunteer Pool as the test facility for its liquid pool cover pilot project. Photo courtesy City of Thunder Bay

By Franco Marchese

With both energy costs and global awareness towards environmental stewardship on the rise, the City of Thunder Bay, Ont., has made energy management a strategic priority. In doing so, the city set several objectives in its 2011-2014 strategic plan, which includes a long term goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the wise use of energy. One of the city’s strategic directions is to reduce the total carbon-based energy consumption within the city below 2005 energy baseline levels.

In working to achieve this goal, the city developed an energy plan called The Strategic Approach to Corporate Energy Management. Although the plan was recently approved by council in December 2011, energy savings have already been realized. As part of the strategy to reduce corporate energy consumption, the city completed several energy audits at key facilities, including three aquatic centres. Within the energy audits, strategies are provided that demonstrate simple procedures, which provide a significant cost savings at minimal expense.

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Creating a Rare Waterplay Structure: The Audobon Zoo’s Alligator-themed Waterpark

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By Colin Atkinson

To bring the Audubon zoo’s ‘Cool Zoo’ to life, WhiteWater West Industries installed a multi-level interactive play structure as part of the new splash park attraction with a life-like alligator as its central theme. Photo courtesy WhiteWater West Industries

WhiteWater West Industries, a waterpark and aquatic attraction design/build firm in Richmond, B.C., installed its first North American zoo water play structure as part of the new splash park attraction at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, La., which opened earlier this year.

This was not a typical installation, however, as WhiteWater was asked to bring the water park attraction, appropriately named ‘Cool Zoo,’ to life, as park officials were looking to add a refreshing new element to the popular zoo. In doing so, WhiteWater designed a custom multi-level interactive play structure with a life-like alligator as its central theme. This was no ordinary alligator, however; as it had to be an accurate reproduction of ‘Spot,’ the Audubon Zoo’s resident albino alligator, which meant incorporating his rare albino colouring.

As WhiteWater’s water play centres are modularly constructed, they can be built anywhere. For instance, the water play structure used for this project contains 15 standpipes, which are joined together by horizontal pipes, some of which carry water to feed the various features, including the tipping bucket and fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) horizontal platforms and stairs. Modular assembly was extremely beneficial for this project, as it allowed various stages of design, fabrication and construction to be carried out in Richmond and Kelowna, B.C., as well as in New Orleans.

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Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations: Bringing it all Together

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By Alex Antoniou, PhD, Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD and Laurie Batter

Conducting audits and developing ERPs should not be taken lightly. Too often organizations play a game of chance, hoping nothing will happen at their facilities. Most of the time, they are lucky. Yet, when an employee or guest is injured, made ill or dies as a result of an emergency situation, tremendous pain and suffering is the result. In addition, financial and liability consequences can be devastating to the organization. Regularly scheduled facility audits and development of an ERP will protect employees, customers and stakeholders.

Read the full article: Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations

Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations: Responsive Action

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By Alex Antoniou, PhD, Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD and Laurie Batter

When there is an accident or unexpected situation that demands immediate action, emotions are running high. An ERP helps keep responders clear-headed and focused. The key is to not delay care. An ERP may also include appropriate or necessary training, such as lifeguard, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certifications, for any employee attempting to rescue and administer assistance to a victim. The types of emergencies that can occur at an aquatic facility include distressed swimmers, active/passive drowning victims, breathing and cardiac emergencies, head, neck and back injuries, fecal incidents, chemical exposure, lightning storms, fire and violence.

In any emergency, communication is essential. Lifeguards can communicate using different methods such as hand signals, whistles, telephones and walkie-talkies (radio). Employees can call for help by dialing 911. The telephone or walkie-talkie can provide a staff member with immediate access to the manager and other vital employees, allowing them to converse as a group while organizing a quick response. The walkie-talkie also allows mobility, which is important in a crisis.

Emergency situations may also generate media coverage. An organization’s emergency response plan should outline who is designated to speak with the media, including guidance on what to say (and not say).

Read the full article: Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations

Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations: Creating an Emergency Response Plan

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By Alex Antoniou, PhD, Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD and Laurie Batter

ERPs are written documents, kept at the workplace, and made available to all employees. There are several factors that must be taken into consideration when designing an ERP. These include the facility layout, the number of employees on duty, auxiliary staff available at the facility, hazards in and around the facility and type of patrons using the facility.

Before implementing an ERP, an employer must designate and train a sufficient number of people to assist in the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of employees. An ERP must include emergency escape procedures, escape routes and measures to account for all employees after the evacuation has occurred. Normally, employees are assigned to report to a designated assembly area where they can be accounted for.

An ERP must also detail procedures to be followed by employees who are performing critical operations at the time an evacuation occurs. The plan should list the personnel designated to assist in medical and rescue duties, along with instructions on the preferred means of reporting fires and other emergencies.

An ERP should also include the names, job titles and contact information for each employee. The employer should review the plan with all staff members when it is initially developed and any time any changes are made.

Read the full article: Learning to Prevent and Respond to Crisis Situations