Coconut Shores, a one-acre water play kid’s area renovation project at Kings Dominion Soak City Water Park, Doswell, Virginia, is currently under construction and is slated to open May 2020. Aquatic Development Group (ADG) has been contracted as its design/builder.
Kings Dominion approached ADG wanting to replace an outdated multi-level play structure with a new and more exciting play structure. ADG surveyed the site and realised that with some creative re-working, they could utilise the foundation of an underused 35,000 square foot (3,252 sq m) secondary wave pool to incorporate two brand-new attractions instead of just one, for the same project budget.
The new attractions include a new multi-level play structure from WhiteWater West with over 200 interactive water features and over eight kid-friendly slides plus ADG’s Mini Harbour water ride attraction. ADG’s Mini Harbour is a kid’s miniature wave pool powered by WaveTek technology. With wave height up to 12 inches (30 cm), this attraction is designed to provide real-feel ocean experience for the youngest of guests.
ADG’s indepth approach to waterpark planning and design allowed Kings Dominion to revitalise not just a single attraction but an entire area of the park providing families with a designated area to relax and enjoy the water play area while also creating an area for incremental revenue generation via new food and beverage outlets.
“Working on the Kings Dominion renovation project allowed us at ADG to do what we do best- think outside the box,” said Jim Dunn, President of Aquatic Development Group, “A client came to us with a specific request, budget and timeframe for their project. But after looking at their site, we determined we could enhance their project by reutilizing existing foundations, filtration and equipment to maximise their project goals all while staying within their budget and their timeline. That gives them not only the one ride but two all within the same footprint. We are very excited to watch the Kings Dominion Coconut Shores project come to life.”
In addition to the two new attractions for Coconut Shores there will also be a new dining experience with assorted cuisines and cocktails for the adult guests. As children play nearby, parents can grab a chaise lounge and relax in the newly renovated spaces of Lighthouse Landing and Sand Dune Lagoon, designed with spaces to soak up the sun or chill in the shade.
Surrounded by natural landscape and mature trees that will provide copious amounts of shade, the new Coconut Shores area of the waterpark will be a perfect zone for families to relax, splash and enjoy a day at the park.
“The investment in Soak City demonstrates our commitment to being Virginia’s premier water park,” said Tony Johnson, Vice President and General Manager of Kings Dominion. “Offering a high-quality water park within our amusement park gives guests of every age a chance to cool down during the hottest part of the summer season. It’s our mission to make people happy and we believe our 2020 water park enhancements will go a long way to doing just that.”
