AusLeisure

An innovative new surface at the popular Springfield Water Park at Robelle Domain parklands in south east Queensland has transformed the aquatic play area with its improved drainage capabilities and expected longer lifespan.

Opened for use in October last year, the new CombiLock® polypropylene tiles replaced an earlier rubber surface that had been installed twice in five years..

An Ipswich City Council team worked with an Australian playground surfacing company, CombiTile Pty Ltd, to install the new interlocking CombiLock® tiles, which the company says "are more effective, cheaper and easier to maintain than the rubber compound surface it replaced”.

As a material, polypropylene has distinct advantages over rubber in that it is recyclable, does not degrade quickly and is not considered a health hazard as it does not contain carcinogens and other compounds that may cause medical conditions.

CombiTile unique construction consists of two parts that clip together and lock in to help drain the water from the Springfield Water Park tipping bucket, which dumps 200 litres on the ground every 30 seconds.

Advising that the surface offered an ingenious solution for the playspace, Ipswich City Council General Manager of Infrastructure and Environment, Charlie Dill stated "it’s the first time in the world that this product has been used.

“The old rubber was packed so tightly that the water wasn’t draining, and it was causing the rubber to compact and break up.

"This new tile has a locking tile on top that clicks in - the dark blue goes down first and the light blue goes on top, then the four corners link together."

Council staff worked with CombiTile®, to create the new and improved design, featuring a locking tile to click the flooring together and ensure water would not pool below the tipping bucket.

Noting that the surfacing solution was already generating a lot of interest around Australia, Dill added “Cabramatta Council (in NSW) has already come up to take a look at it and Sunshine Coast Council is coming down. Everyone’s really excited about how they can use it in similar environments.”

With water play and activity areas for all members of the family including free-standing aqua activity area with jet sprays and its tipping water bucket, the free to use Springfield Water Park attracts thousands of visitors every weekend over summer.  

CombiTile® is 100% Australian owned, and the CombiLock® product is manufactured in Australia.

Click here to contact CombiTile via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

Images show the CombiTile's CombiLock as installed at the Springfield Water Park. Lower image show the CombiLock tile construction.

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