Sportoase De Watermolen Celebrates Opening

(eap) The new indoor swimming complex Sportoase De Watermolen in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, opened its doors to visitors for the first time last weekend. Built on the site of a former municipal recreational park, the new water world is now available for sports, school and club swimming as well as leisure bathing. Sportoase De Watermolen is operated by the Sportoase Group, which runs several swimming pools with adjoining fitness centers across the country.

Photo: Courtesy of WhiteWater West. The sport-oriented facility also offers a range of attractions, including an exciting selection of tube and body slides. As a special highlight, slide enthusiasts can look forward to an almost 85-meter-long flume featuring interactive gaming elements (keyword: “Slideboarding”). In addition, there is a 75 meter long “Tailspin” inner-tube slide as well as a body slide with open and enclosed sections. For younger guests, an “AquaPlay 200” aquatic play structure with children’s slides and several water spray features have been integrated into the facility, promising plenty of fun. All attractions were supplied by the Canadian manufacturer WhiteWater West, which is represented in Europe by a branch office in Munich.

Grant Poje, Vice President of Business Development at the company, commented: “When we designed the slides, we focused on sport as Sportoase is a health-centric sports facility, so the water slides had to have a health aspect. We included Slideboarding to entice repeat ridership, and hence more times up the stairs, therefore increasing ‘health’. The team also included active play in the kids area, with Life Floor ensuring activity while maximizing safety for the little ones.”

In addition to the slides and children’s area, the Sportoase in Sint-Niklaas features a wave pool, a 50-meter sports pool with a movable floor (by Vario Pool), a 25-meter multifunction pool, a baby pool, as well as a spacious sauna and wellness area. The new complex was designed by LD.Architecten, who were responsible not only for the building architecture but also for the water treatment systems and interior design.

Read more about the new Sportoase De Watermolen in one of our upcoming EAP magazine issues. ■