Hire a crew from the States to apply the finish. Even in Vegas I haven't seen an all-tile wave pool, I think Mandalay's is plaster. Tile should last, but unless integral waterproofers are used, the vessel may leak or tiles may pop off. Pebble may present less problems down the road. http://genesis3.com/ This group will lead you in the right direction

Thanks Robindigo,

I think you are right.

Maybe i should be considering getting local contractors to do the form work, and then leave the finishing to the foreign contractors.

I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing people post their progree pics here, and I cant wait until I get to post mine too. Hopefully it wont be too long.

Miebi-

Congratulations on your decision to build a pool/waterpark. Can't wait to see your design and pictures of your progress. This sounds like it is going to be a very cool project.

I have always been intrigued by wave pools and the design options to generate the wave. Hopefully you won't mind sharing some details of this technically as this comes into focus.

Last week I was with my family at a new waterpark here in the states and seen a cool variation of a lazy river. The river was adjacent to the wave pool and whenever the wave pool action started, the same mechanism created a wave in the lazy river. The effect was amazing and added considerably to the enjoyment of the lazy river. Just an idea to consider as you are planning your waterpark. Gotta have a slide or 2 also depending on your budget and there are so many cool water features that I have seen over the years that I have on my 'wish' list just in case we win the lottery!

Hope this helps.

Thanks trhought,

A water park is a huge project in size as well as finances, we are building ours on 2 hectares and I am sure it will pay back, cos there are absolutely none of such available here.

We will be installing attractions from those high thrill twisting and turning 9m high slides right down to interactive water play systems for kids. We will also have plans to build a wave pool powered by pneumatic wave generator. I read that that is a more recent technology than the mechanical one. For equipment, i am pretty clear on what I want, my main issue is the pools will be constructed and finished, i.e. the aesthetics of the pool design, tiles versus pebbletech and methods employed in construction.

Here in Nigeria, the pool builders mainly do basic rectangular designs, finished with tiles. I also have issues with the methods employed in construction. I was talking with a pool builder today who had quoted for the job, and he told me that even in a 12ft by 25ft pool of depth 4 - 9 ft, he would use manual labor to excavate. I was like ... "so how many years will that take you?" But he says thats how its done here. Also, he says they use pouring and vibration method for the concrete work as opposed to gunite i see more popularly used by PBs in this forum.

We are going to test whoever will eventually do the job with a 4m by 7m pool in my backyard, so you guys will get to see pool building Nigerian stylee. Looking to start that in about 2 - 3 weeks, and the water park in 4-5 weeks.

Keep talking. It helps

ooking to start that in about 2 - 3 weeks, and the water park in 4-5 weeks.

Thats pretty ambitious scheduling.

The only reason people would not tile a wave pool in the states is cost. All tile pools are the best surface in my opinion. All tile pools are the most durable, and if a few tiles do pop off you simply reattach them.

With that being said, many waterparks paint their pools. As much as I hate paint, its easy to apply, and reapply to keep up appearances. This may be the best option for your location because I am sure that you can find someone to apply paint.

"but unless integral waterproofers are used, the vessel may leak or tiles may pop off"

Proper installation techniques are required for all finishes.

Thanks racket

i'm not considering paint cos of frequent maintenance.

2-3 weeks ... 4-5 weeks ambitious? well we've been planning for 3 months, one'd think we should be doing something already...lol...well, lets see how it goes ... i'll be posting progress here anyways.

"well we've been planning for 3 months" we are lucky to get the health department to stamp drawings after 3 months. Time must fly in nigeria.

Bottom line, if you can get someone to tile the pool that lives in country for a reasonable price, do it. Just use a good slip resistant tile.

@ racket

Thanks for the advice.

Miebi-

Your commercial project sounds great and what a wonderful business opportunity with little to no competition in the area! Can't wait to see pictures of your project.....especially the wave generator and slide installation. I just installed a residential fiberglass slide in our pool that is about 4m tall and 25m long and would love to see pictures of professionally installed slides. Any pictures of the plans would also be nice to see if you are comfortable sharing.

I agree with Racket on use of tiles. I still have burns on my knees from the plaster in the wave pool we were in 2 weeks ago! The non-slip tile is a good idea, especially in the shallow end of the pool and along the beach entry. Hopefully the non-slip tile is not too abrasive though. I lived in Thailand for a few years and a lot of their pools are tile construction which was comfortable and pleasing to the eye but also slippery in shallow areas. Safety was not a major concern on these pools, but a commercial pool should place a lot of emphasis on safety.

Tile is not very popular in the states due to labor involved to install vs. plaster. If local practice is to use tiles, then use tile. The use of plaster may be a problem later down the road when having to resurface or repair without any local expertise.

@trhought

Thanks.

Yeah.

So tile it is then. Labour is not a problem here, and it is not comparatively as expensive as I thought it would be to the other plastering methods.

I also found the rough surface at wet n wild quite abrasive when one was swept by the wave in the beach area.

I myself cant wait until I start posting picture

We set out the pools today ... i just want to post a picture to see if it actually works ... looking forward to posting more interesting progress pics

[IMG]http://i27.tinypic.com/28hmtyt.jpg[/IMG]

Setting out 04/06/08

I am trying to post a picture, and totally confused on how to do it.

I went to tinypic.com, uploaded, but didn't see "HOST IT" any or any "TAG" to copy. I'm just checking again to see if this works.

DONE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, this is a picture of the surveyors doing their work yesterday and labourers clering the bush in their paths. We had the people constructing the slides do a site design, and they were also there. We were able to set out the wave pool, kids pool, and platforms. That took almost 5 hours.

Look forward to posting more pics

SITE PLAN

To the right, wave pool surrounded by lazy river.

To the left, irregularly shaped wadiing pool, accommodating landing area for 3 lane high speed wavey slides, and 2 curvy slides coming in from a height of 9m; a multipurpose water play system; 15 panel slide mountain; 3 kids slides coming in froma height of 2 meters

miebi-

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your commercial project. Very nice!

This is going to be fun to watch the progress unfold.

Do you know if the lazy river will also have wave action? I was in a lazy river earlier this year and it had wave action. This was the first I had ever seen and the effect was nice!

Keep the pictures coming!

@trtought

Thanks.

Well, I guess because of it's location, it should be easy to open a chanel from the wave pool into the lazy river to create wave action in it simultaneaously with the pool.

Thanks for the suggestion.

miebi -
Thanks for updating this - it will be really interesting to watch it take shape. When you have the opportunity, can you post more info on the pools' specs and mechanics - filtration, sanitation, and wave generator? Unfortunately I won't be very helpful because outside of my own residential pool, I have no knowledge/advice regarding a commercial project (except as a customer). I am interested in the workings, though, and I'm probably not alone.

Thanks and good luck!

@jmas65

I am looking forward to seeing it develop myself. I have absolutely no experience with pool building, but with the help of this forum, and plenty reading, i have grasped the basics.

Just add this link to your favorites so you don't have to look for it in case it gets pushed down the ladder.

You guys give me encouragement by indicating such interest.

Best regards.

Good luck with your new venture and keep posting the progress. This will be one of the most interesting pool related threads yet!!

FEATURES

A. ADULT SLIDES
A-1 2 (TWO) 54" DIAMETER FLOAT FLUME SLIDE (Ht. 9m total length 84m x 2)
A-2 THREE LANE WAVE SLIDE: 32" EACH (Height 9m length 24m x3)

B. KIDS SLIDES
B-1 FAMILY SLIDE 7M WIDE X 2 METERS HIGH
B-2 32" BODY FLUME SLIDE 7.5M LENGTH X 2M HIGH
B-3 32" BLACK HOLE TUBE SLIDE 7.5M LENGTH X 2M HIGH

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
MUSHROOM UMBRELLA
DOME SLIDE WITH MUSHROOM
MULTIPURPOSE WATER PLAY SYSTEM,with tilting bucket, slides, pump with G.I.

FUN FLOATS
floating bridge/lily pads for kid with rope supports

RAIN DANCE

9M X 9M dance area with disco lights and water squirts

WAVE POOL
Total length, 25m, width at machine end 12m, with at "beach" end 25m

These are the attractions we plan on starting with.

We have a plan to add more attractions if the facilities outstrip the crowd the place will attract.

I will give more details about the pools when I get them. right now, all i have is dimensions

Thanks for updating. By the way, did you ever "test the builder" by building a pool at your home?

@jmas65

No, I just looked at their previous work.

We have an expatriate firm doing the design for the entire water area of the park,they are the ones handling the fabrication of the slides and doing all the drawings for the plumbing, electrical and maintenance manual for the whole project. And we will get local contractors whose work we have seen to execute the plan under the supervision of an engineer sent by the expatriate firm.

That's our plan.

these are the detailed drawings of the slides ... just incase its useful to anyone ...

Good luck on both of your builds Miebi. Can't offer much advice or answers, however am providing lots of encouragement! We live in New Braunfels Tx which is home to the original Schlitterbahn waterparks. Our town is not too large (yet) and Schlitterbahn built 3 waterparks within the city with shuttle buses running to all of them all day long. Along with the 2 natural rivers that flow through town and offer tubing as well, we are definately a water based economy! I laugh when family come into town and ask why all anyone seems to be wearing are swimsuits!
Good luck, seems as if you also have the attention of some very astute PB's and owner's offering the advice to help you. Keep posting pics, I can't wait to see the progress.

Here is a link that might be useful: Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels TX

I have to remember to resize the pictures before i upload

miebi-

Thanks for sharing the slide plans. Wow....there are a lot of flume sections in your slides. Mine only had 13 sections compared to these which are 47 sections! Very impressive and can't wait to see the pictures of installation. Your slides are definitely going to be a lot more expensive.

I am pasting your question from another post regarding commercial pump recommendations in hopes that someone reading this post can help you. Unfortunately, I do not have any knowledge of commercial size equipment and can't help with your question.

Here's miebi's question: "Well, this is my info source, so I would like to ask a few questions regarding how the slide is supplied water. And generally the best pumps available. 10 Nos. 10HP pumps for the lazy river, and a total of 10 submersible pumps 2 EACH OF 3,7.5 and 10HP; and 3 5hP for the other features. Is there any particular manufacturer of pumps whose products you would recommend? "

Keep the updates coming. Can't wait to see your pictures as this unfolds!

@trhought

I was seriously worried concerning the length of the slides we were offered compared ith yours, and had to go check the offer again ... the serpentine slides are actually 84 meters long EACH, not total ... that's where I got it mixed up. When I check, it comes to about $370/m for the serpentine, $1020/m for the 3 lane slide b/w 165 and 285 for the kidds flume slides and $765 for the 7m wide by 7.5 m long family slide.

I'm getting impatient myself ...

Thanks for your interest

I don't know if it is of any help at this stage but the design company I work with does quite a bit of installation in the major water parks and from what I have seen 2 of the largest players in Water attractions are Proslide: http://www.proslide.com/index.php and White Water: http://www.whitewaterwest.com/. I am not really endorsing either of them, I just see them at all of our projects. They may be of assistance if you haven't already talked with them. The other thing I have found is that the pools guys at the major parks are usually more than willing to share their experience and opinions of projects and products if you call and talk with them. Good luck with your project, it looks like a lot of fun. Tony

Thanks Tony

I will check them out

Wow, that is an impressive waterpark scheme that rivals anything here in the states! Good luck and please keep us posted on the progress. I bet when the word starts getting out on your project that there will be a lot of very excited kids!

I've been to two waterparks with lazy rivers, one of them had a wave generator and the other didn't. The one with the wave generator was a lot more fun! It would shoot a wave out every 5 minutes or so, a massive wave that traveled about halfway around the length of the river. It was neat to just be floating along and then suddenly this big wave comes barreling through!

miebi-

Hello. Hopefully you are still checking this forum once in a while. With a project as big as yours, you probably don't have much free time.

If you don't mind, when you get a chance, can you update us on your waterpark progress. It would be great to hear from you.

Thanks!