A WhiteWater-designed attraction not only won an IAAPA award but was one of the main reasons for record attendance levels at Zoombezi Bay this past season – despite unfavourable weather conditions.

The new AquaPlay RainFortress, Baboon Lagoon, replaced an existing structure at the waterpark affiliated with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, offering more than twice the waterslides and a more immersive play experience. The waterpark said Baboon Lagoon was the main draw in a new area designed by ADG.

The approach that Zoombezi Bay took with the AquaPlay theming mirrored the zoo’s strategy of putting animals from the same natural habitat together. Both the baboons and the blue ringed octopus live near the west coast of Africa.

“The Columbus Zoo design team came up with the initial idea for the structure, but all we knew was that we wanted it animal themed,” said John Gannon, the facility’s general manager.

“I give a lot of credence to WhiteWater and their design team for taking our idea and running with it. There were tiny details that they really perfected.”

Baboon Lagoon won an IAAPA Best New Product Award for the Best Themed Exhibit Design for Zoos, Aquariums, and Museums.