SPLASH_81_p1_30 - Splash Magazine

industry newsAround the globeACQUAVILLAGE WINSITALIAN AWARDAcquavillage Water Park in Cecina, Italyhas been named Italy’s Best Water Parkin 2011 by Parksmania. A dual familyride contributed to park winning theaward: the new slide complex Intrigo(Italian for intrigue) contains both afamily waterslide and a rafting waterslideconnected by a conveyor.GREAT WOLF GOBBLED UPPrivate equity firm Apollo GlobalManagement has bought UnitedStates’ largest water park operator,Great Wolf Resorts for $US703 million,taking into account stock worthapproximately $US167 million as wellas outstanding debts.CEO Kimberly Schaefer said thatafter they thoroughly assessed the situation,they believed the Apollo proposalwas the best way to maximise shareholdervalue. Shareholders received substantialand immediate cash premiums fortheir shares.PENTAIR’S MILLIONDOLLAR GRANTThe Pentair Foundation has announceda $US1 million grant toWater Missions International (WMI) tofund safe drinking water projects worldwide.The new grant provides $200,000per year for five years.More than one billion people worldwidehave no choice but to use unsafe,contaminated water. The multi-yeargrant will fund the implementation ofclean water and sanitation projects indeveloping countries. WMI currentlyoperates water quality and sanitationprograms in nine countries: Honduras,Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Indonesia,Haiti, Peru and Belize.ZODIAC SPONSORS US ENERGYEDUCATION COURSEZodiac Pool Systems has sponsored amajor energy efficiency training coursethrough its longtime partner, the Foundationfor Pool and Spa Industry Education(FPSIE).Zodiac has donated the funds to helptrain 50 pool professionals in FPSIE’sCertified Aquatic Energy Auditor(CAEA) course. The company is thefirst pool products manufacturer tosponsor energy efficiency training forits customers.The CAEA course was created byFPSIE in partnership with HanleyWood and the National Swimming PoolFoundation (NSPF) as a certificationcourse related to new and future energyefficiency regulations. It covers energyconsumption, performing an energy audit,and changing a pool and spa systemto be more efficient.ADA REPRIEVE FOR USPUBLIC POOLSPublic and hotel pools in the US havebeen given an extension on the requirementto comply with controversial newlegislation as part of the Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA).Under the legislation, by mid-March(now extended until mid-May) all poolswere due to have pool lifts for disabledswimmers installed. The deadline maystill be extended further.The use of portable lifts had beenquestioned, as some facilities mightattempt to use one lift to cover multiplepools, which would be against the aim ofthe legislation. Getting lifts in place wasproving to be difficult and expensive forfacilities, and some also warned aboutthe risks associated with rushing new installationsaround the pool, and how thatmight affect the equipotential bonding.SAND FILTERS OKAY, FOR NOWUS magazine Pool and Spa News hasreported that a proposed sand filter banhas been avoided.As part of a recent update, the InternationalAssociation of Plumbing andMechanical Officials (IAPMO) addedpool and spa guidelines stipulating thatsand filters be banned because of theirhigh water and energy usage.But after lobbying from manufacturersand the Association of Pool & SpaProfessionals (APSP) IAPMO agreed todelay that section of the guidelines untilfurther consultation with the industryhad been made.SINGAPORE TO HOSTSE ASIA CHAMPSThe new Southeast Asia SwimmingChampionships has found its firsthome – Singapore. The event willrun from May 28 to June 17, 2012.Swimmers from all over the regionwill compete at the championships inswimming, diving, synchronised swimmingand water polo. These eventswill be held at the Singapore SportsSchool and Toa Payoh SwimmingComplex.Up to 300 athletes are expected toparticipate, which will be their lastchance to qualify for the LondonOlympic Games.Jeffrey Leow, chairman of the organisingcommittee of the Championshipssaid bi-annual event event will hopefullykick start more cooperation and competitionopportunities between the 10ASEAN countries.TOURISTS HOSPITALISED INPHUKET CHLORINE INCIDENTThirty-seven people – mostly Scandinaviantourists and resort workers –were rushed to hospital after a chemicalspill at a Phuket resort pool. Guestsreported explosions and clouds of gasas cleaning agents were accidentlymixed with chlorine. There were reportedlyabout 100 people around thepool at the time, and many sufferedskin and eye irritation. Most weredischarged but some were referred to acentral hospital and kept for observation– including a pregnant tourist whohad breathing difficulties.18 | SPLASH! splashmagazine.com.au