Photo: Land of Legends waterpark at Antalya, Turkey. All photos ©IPM.
By Judith Rubin
In the business of #themeparks, #waterparks, #attractions and #liveevents, both operators and suppliers are looking for ways to restart business and resume gatherings in the real world that will keep everyone safe and provide a great guest experience. Trade organizations dedicated to supporting them and their interests are producing targeted studies and reports touching on many aspects including #architecture, #systems, #design, #operations, #staffing and #training.
Here, we look at three such reports, from the Event Safety Alliance, the World Waterpark Association and the American Institute of Architects. In a previous article, we presented reports from IAAPA, UFI and Bacta.
Live event safety guidance from ESA
Released on May 11, 2020, the “Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide” is a 30-page document edited by ESA vice president Steven A. Adelman. “This Reopening Guide assumes that we all want to reopen as fully and quickly as possible without unreasonably risking health or safety,” states the introduction.
The comprehensive document addresses such considerations as patron education, messaging, worker health and #PPE, #sanitation, ingress and egress, admissions, bag checks, restrooms, retail and dining, production, transportation and emergency procedures.
The long list of contributors to this guide represent venues, managers, promoters, suppliers, event producers, caterers, associations, theaters, opera companies, universities and many others connected to the business of live events. The Event Safety Alliance® (ESA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting “life safety first” in all phases of event production and activation.
Waterpark re-opening advice from WWA
“Aquatic Facility and Waterpark Reopening Considerations” is an eight-page document provided by the World Waterpark Association to help facilities re-open while keeping guests and staff safe. It gives suggested procedures for screening, communications, sanitation, #training, capacity, physical distancing and more, with detail on CDC recommendations and links to many additional resources.
The WWA report is based on governmental and industry best practices, while acknowledging that the situation continues to evolve. It recommends that facilities communicate and cooperate with state and local officials: “Because the COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving public health crisis, operators should always follow the most current governmental and public health guidelines applicable to their jurisdiction.”
WWA is a nonprofit serving the international waterpark and aquatic facility industry since 1981. The WWA 40th Annual Symposium & Trade Show is scheduled to take place Oct 6-9, 2020 in Las Vegas.
Reoccupancy strategies from AIA
The “AIA Reoccupancy Assessment Tool,” released May 6, 2020, is a 19-page document outlining structure and system modifications, practices and procedures for re-opening and re-occupying buildings.
The document, which includes an index of design tools and methods, was developed by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) Disaster Assistance Committee, a multi-disciplinary team. This strategic guide is one of many resources that AIA has been providing in the COVID crisis.
In a statement about the assessment tool, AIA 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA said, “Design is a response to the conditions, needs and functions of our society. This may be the most pivotal and defining moment in our lifetime for design. Architects are needed in this crisis to help safely transition our communities back to offices, schools and the many other places that are important in shaping our daily lives.”
