TAA Puts Its Rock-Solid Expertise on the Line at Avoriaz

© 2012 Funworld/International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission. OUT&BACK TAA Puts Its Rock-Solid Expertise on the Line at Avoriaz Ⅲ Theming and Animatronics Indus- quite a task because of the location of requirements of the quality of water tries (TAA) of Madrid, Spain, was the waterpark. TAA always creates all and the health and safety require- recently selected by Pierre & Vacances of its rock work on site, and getting ments, and it has to be long-lasting. Center Parcs Group to do all of the everything in place to do so will be a Rock work close to and inside of water elaborate rock work for the Aquariaz challenge. “TAA executes the cement is challenging, [but] TAA has done waterpark at the Avoriaz Aquatics rock works always on site with profes- this work in the past with success.” Center, part of the Avoriaz resort in sional cement machines of high capac- One example of the rock’s use beyond Portes du Soleil, France. What makes ity and a team of specialists,” says decorative purposes will be a climbing the waterpark and TAA’s project so Weisenburger. “Before the winter wall with swinging ropes that drop unusual is the location—not a warm period, all major material and cement guests into the pool. beach retreat or big-city theme park, has to be driven up to the construction Artificial rock that is continuously but a mountain ski resort located some site in the mountains because as soon as in contact with chlorinated water often 6,000 feet up in the French Alps. the snow starts, trucks cannot drive up “bleaches out” and loses its natural- Aquariaz will be indoors and consist anymore!” looking color, which is quite a problem. of an experience swimming pool, an TAA will create some 10,800 square But according to Weisenburger, TAA aquatic and leisure area with rock land- feet of rock surface area for the water- has addressed this: “Over the years of scapes, a lazy river, Jacuzzis, wave pools, park. The work involves applying experience and successful rock work in and slides. A separate spa is located cement to a water-resistant structure. salt and also chlorinated water, TAA adjacent to the pool area. Then, sculptors give it a natural look. created its own special mixture of “Theming and Animatronics Indus- Later, painters come in and execute the cement and integrated color in order to tries is very proud to win this project,” fine finishing work. But in this prevent the ‘bleach out,’” he reveals. says Udo Weisenburger, president and instance, the rock has to do much more “A sample rock has been already exe- CEO of TAA. “It is very significant for than just look good. cuted on site and approved by the TAA in the sense of realizing [its] first “The rock work itself has to be of client.” project for the French Center Parcs excellent quality,” says Weisenburger. The work should take three to four Group.” “It is not just decorative, but in direct months, with the Avoriaz Aquatics TAA is understandably pleased to contact with the guests. The surface Center expected to open in June or July

win the project, but executing it will be has to be very soft and also fit the 2012. www.taaindustries.com FW THEMING AND ATTRACTIONSINDUSTRIES

Rendering of some of the rock work in the Aquariaz water park at the Avoriaz ski resort