KeyLime Cove Welcomes Guests for Behind the Scenes Peek at Waterpark Science
Resort’s Top Engineer Reveals State-of-the Art Ozone Purification Technology; Attention to Detail that Makes Gurnee, IL Waterpark the Best in Class
GURNEE, IL – (April 25, 2012) – A world-class indoor waterpark resort needs world-class water. It needs the purest, cleanest H2O that modern ecological science can produce.
That is what happens behind the scenes of the nation’s top family resort, in KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort’s pump room. And now, the public is invited to take a detailed look at the merger of high tech and ecological dedication.
Chief Engineer Robert Williams is the ecological expert at KeyLime Cove. He oversees a purification program that uses ozone to produce some of the purest water anyone could swim in, anywhere on Earth. Its pH value is the same as a human teardrop.
“We are conducting tours to educate parents about the water their kids are swimming in,” said Robert Williams, director of engineering. “We are proud of our state-of-the-art ozone disinfection system which provides impeccable water quality and clarity, as well as air quality. Ozone destroys 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses, spores, fungus and mold. It leaves the water sparkling clear and fresh.” The staff now offers a waterpark tour at 8:30 a.m. on weekends, prior to the waterpark’s opening. Guests on the tour will hear from managers of the Aquatics staff and take a walking tour of the pump room under the waterpark. Non-waterpark attire and closed toe shoes are required to participate in the tour.
Top Notch Aquatics Staff
The 65,000 square-foot indoor waterpark is operated under the watchful eyes of Jeff Ellis and Associates certified lifeguards. Each lifeguard completes 38 hours of training prior to setting foot into the waterpark, which certifies them in CPR, First Aid and Emergency Oxygen Delivery.
Once considered a lifeguard, all crew members are expected to attend four hours of continuing education training a month to maintain their skills. Training includes everything from assuring that guards maintain the 10/20 rule: to recognize a guest in distress in the water within 10 seconds and reach them within 20 seconds, to providing unmatched guest service. Each lifeguard faces continual testing to meet staff standards at any given time. Jeff Ellis and Associates performs unannounced audits to ensure a test ready level at all times. The aquatics staff has exceeded its last four unannounced audits by Jeff Ellis and Associates. In addition to the four unannounced audits that are performed, KeyLime Cove Aquatics performs four varying types of audits, more than 2800 times a year, to ensure the utmost safety for KeyLime Cove guests.
Air and Water Facts
How many gallons of water does it take to fill Lost Paradise Indoor Waterpark? A total of 420,120 gallons -- filtered at a rate of 4,788 gallons per minute. The resort’s waterpark technicians maintain a tight ship, working hard to make sure the water temperature is comfortable and clean, within a half of a degree of the waterpark’s standard 84 degrees. The waterpark’s six pools were recently outfitted with climate centers that give a digital reading of the pool’s water temperature, air temperature, humidity level and time of day. The climate centers are visible to guests and are accurate within one degree. The air quality is also a primary concern. Air is refreshed every 20 minutes during the hours of operation.
Waterpark Facts:
- 420,120 gallons of water
- Lazy river is 560 feet long and winds throughout the waterpark
- Tube slides are 45 feet high and 350 feet long
- Hurricane’s Vortex is 45 feet high and 140 feet long
- Pineapple splash bucket is 10 feet tall and holds 250 gallons of water
- Maximum occupancy of the waterpark is 1,476 guests
Behind the Scenes
KeyLime Cove’s waterpark opened in 2008 with state-of-the-art ozone sanitation technology. The tour reveals how ozone is 200 times stronger than chlorine but has no effect on skin or hair. If a person breathes ozone, it will be exhaled as oxygen. Ozone is a highly effective sanitizer, effective against Cryptosporidium and MRSA (antibiotic resistant staph), E. coli and Salmonella. Ozone benefits the environment by reducing the energy to heat water and lowers chemical consumption because it creates no harmful byproducts.
“I believe that the condition of a pump room is a direct reflection of how an operation is run,” said Williams. “Our waterpark technicians take air and water quality seriously. They are trained to know every pipe and how the water flows through all 176 valves and 46 gauges.” To date, there are few waterparks and municipal pools in the U.S. that are using ozone technology.
Pump Room Facts:
- Pump room is maintained by five full time technicians, who hand test water samples every two hours (State of Illinois requirements are two times daily)
- Pump room has 18 pumps, 176 valves and 42 gauges
- Water is filtered through tanks of gravel and sand before it is treated with chemicals and ozone
- Sand within the tanks is cleaned by backwashing
- A master computer system controls all underwater lighting, temperature, ozone, chemicals, valves and pressure
- System makes pure ozone, recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an antimicrobial disinfectant
KeyLime Cove is rapidly becoming known as a destination of choice. TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel website, recently announced its top Travelers’ Choice® Hotels for Families, naming KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort the #1 Family Hotel in the US and #2 worldwide. In addition, KeyLime Cove was recognized by Aquatics International with the “Best of Aquatics” award in the waterpark resort category for 2011.
Visit KeyLime Cove’s behind the scenes tour for a peek inside the waterpark pump room.
For more information or to make a tropical getaway reservation, visit keylimecove.com or call 1.877.360.0403.
About KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort
KeyLime Cove is an island-inspired family vacation destination less than an hour drive from Chicago and Milwaukee. As The Official Resort of Six Flags Great America, the year-round resort features 414 suites and staterooms and offers a complete family vacation without ever leaving the property. Created to be an American coastal experience just a short drive from home, the resort’s entertainment and amenities include a 65,000 square-foot, 84-degree tropical-themed indoor waterpark; an arts, crafts and activities center for kids; an 8,000 square-foot arcade; multiple restaurants including D.W. Anderson’s Eatery and Ice Cream Parlor and The Crazy Toucan Margarita Grille; Paradise Mist Spa; The Enchanted Lagoon Kids Spa; and 6,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space. An abundance of fun is found around every corner, including the uniquely themed interior, arts, crafts, interactive festivities, shops and street vendors. KeyLime Cove is operated by Madison, Wis. based S&L Hospitality, a hotel and resort management company with a niche in indoor waterpark resorts.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Beranek
608-845-9990
jberanek@slhosp.com
Jennifer Evans
224-656-8020
jevans@keylimecove.com
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