A-SPLISHIN' AND A-SPLASHIN'

Ensuring the comfort and recreational needs of a tropical town, this engaging splash park is a community asset worth singing about.

One of the youngest towns in Queensland, Moranbah was established in 1969 for miners and their families, developing its own rich charm and welcoming atmosphere. Summer temperatures are high, making the Isaac region’s biggest aquatic centre a focal point for the residential community and a destination for a variety of sporting, recreation and leisure activities.

The existing Greg Cruikshank Aquatic Centre (GCAC) water park was constructed in 2012. In 2019-2020, the water park was identified by Isaac Regional Council as requiring replacement works to heighten safety for users and to remedy a number of anomalies of the park.

In line with community consultation and surveys, Council employed a competitive tender process to deliver a zero-depth water park and toddler wading pool suitable for children aged 0-5 years, while also accommodating the whole community and visitors. The $1.2 million project was made possible through the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.

The brief required that the water park be suitably shaded due to high summer temperatures and provide adequate seating and grassed areas for user comfort. The design needed to include a series of interactive waterplay features providing a variety of user experiences, while also being sustainable and reduce resource use wherever possible.

Having won the tender, play specialists Playscape Creations designed and installed a contemporary tropical oasis that features a beach entry, wading pool and fun interactive water play experiences for people of all ages. Layered Delta shapes form the splash pad, while the wading pool entry and pool itself provide a gentle edging and entry to the waterpark experience. This unique configuration pays homage to the tessellations found around outback pools, which ebb and flow with seasonal rains.

Ensuring all levels of the space are activated, the splashpad features elevated structural elements and interactive aquatic features at the ground level, along with spaces of quiet for reflection and socialisation, regardless of age or ability.

The Purple Berry Dipper Trees (in duo and triple form) feature beautifully fashioned spherical tipping buckets that fill and tip seemingly at random. The bright purple berries are a reimagined representation of the Burdekin Plum (Pleiogynium timorense), a sweet fruit native to the Isaac region. Reaching 3.9 meters in height, the curved stainless-steel posts add a beautiful architectural element to the splashpad and encourage users to engage in play across all levels.

Inset within the wading pool entry, Duel 4 arches and immersive Ohio rings add an interactive element. Integrated ground sprays surrounding the wading pool allow children to connect with the flowing water build their water confidence, without having to be fully submerged. On the perimeter of the splashpad, triple Dude elements stand, ranging between 1100mm and 1500mm high. Spraying water onto the users below, these fun units encourage imaginative play.

An active space has been provided for older users. Two single Blasters — epic water cannons with a user directed spray arc — reside in this space, offering users the ability to move the spray position for maximum competitive soaking! All water flows have been designed to be gentle enough for toddlers but engaging enough for children up to 8-years-old to want to play.

To ensure all-abilities access, entry to the splashpad and equipment circulation has been designed with ease of flow in mind. All splashpark features are installed on an embed system and can be removed and/or upgraded for maintenance or serviceability, quickly and easily. Through innovative design, the new splashpark utilises the existing plantroom infrastructure and footprint of the old facility and an additional UV system was installed for optimum sanitisation in a zero-depth environment.

With the addition of shelters, tables and seating surrounded by extensive greenlife, the all-day comfort of visitors to the GCAC water park is guaranteed, even on the hottest days.

PROJECT PARTICULARS

Client Isaac Regional Council

Location Moranbah, Queensland

Splashpark Structures Atlantis Liquid Dynamics

Design & Installation Playscape Creations

Photography Van Der Stoep Photography