The original I-shaped pool in Greenville was in need of major repair and could no longer support the area’s exploding population growth. After a facility evaluation, it was decided that the most cost-effective approach was to replace the pool with a family aquatic center to meet the needs of the Greenville County Recreation District.
Visitors to Discovery Island Waterpark are greeted with a splash of primary colors. Chosen with children in mind, these colors appear on umbrellas, play structures and slides. All signage is consistent, featuring the park’s wave logo and mascot, Clyde the Dolphin, to gently communicate park rules.
The pool itself is one body of water that accommodates zero-depth entry, a leisure swimming area, two water slides and a lazy river. The design keeps swimmers flowing from one area to the next and alleviates congestion. When guests come down the enclosed tube slide, for example, they land in a splashdown pool connected to the lazy river — immediately transporting them to a new attraction, while also giving them the option of returning to the deck via stairs.
Facility design called for a larger deck, turf areas and concessions building than would otherwise be needed to accommodate the pool’s current 800-bather capacity. These oversized amenities will allow slides, pools, sand play areas, sand volleyball courts and other features to easily be added to the park in the future.