Aquatic Development Group (ADG), a leading water park and recreational design, construction, and manufacturing firm, has announced that it was recognised at the recent WWA Symposium and Trade Show 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, with two Leading Edge Awards for its work on WildWater in Cullman, Alabama and Wild Rivers in Irvine, California.
Held by each year by the WWA, the international trade association serving waterparks and aquatic venues, the Leading Edge Awards recognise extraordinary projects from around the globe.
WildWater
ADG designed the new 12-acre expansion at WildWater waterpark to appeal to families of all ages. It offers a good mix of thrill rides and family-friendly attractions, as well as plenty of deck space for families to spread out and select from the many shady lounge chairs or one of the 15 cabanas.
A splash station, a toddler-specific water play area, eight kid-sized slides, and ten thrill slides for thrill-seekers were also included in the park’s design. ADG was responsible for construction on all of the aquatic elements and served as the project’s construction manager.
Numerous kiosks were carefully placed throughout the park, offering everything from quick snacks to full meals and family packs. There is also a sizable, luxurious party pavilion.
“The development of WildWater is a key part of the larger Sports and Events District, centrally located in the heart of Cullman,” says Nathan Anderson, Cullman Parks, Recreation and Sports Tourism executive director. “WildWater will draw thousands of people to Cullman and will also provide a great outlet for local residents to enjoy family fun without having to leave the area.”
ADG and the WildWater team overcame challenges and met their deadline with a soft opening to the local townspeople on Memorial Day weekend 2022, despite numerous shortages and supply delays caused by the economic environment surrounding the pandemic. Construction on Wild Water began in the fall of 2021.
Wild Rivers
As part of the design for Wild Rivers, which was done in collaboration with the owners and developers, ADG created reproductions of famous slides like the Bombay Blasters and Switzer Falls as well as a variety of thrilling new rides.
This project was a redesign of the first park, which had been a fixture in the city for 25 years before it was forced to close in 2011. The new $60 million, 20-acre Wild Rivers park is 50% larger than the original and was created to incorporate all the most recent technological advancements while still paying homage to the park’s nostalgic roots in the community. The challenge was to bring back to life a bigger & better version of the beloved original.
The new Wild Rivers offers a creative mix of “chills and thrills,” surrounded by ample deck & lounge space and a multitude of food and drink options to satisfy every guest, from new high-tech features like a water coaster with virtual reality capabilities to the tried-and-true lazy river and wave pool attractions.
Season passes sold out well in advance of opening day as a result of the local community’s enthusiastic response to the long-awaited return of Wild Rivers.
ADG has also brought its expertise to a range of aquariums in recent years, including Shedd Aquarium and Georgia Aquarium, as well as working on a sea lion exhibit at Columbus Zoo.
