Parc Valois Splashpad® Modernization
Quick Facts
- Location: Parc Valois, Pointe-Claire (QC, Canada)
- Original installation: 2017
- Upgrade Completion: June 2025
- Key Vortex Technologies: SafeSwap™, MaestroPro™
- Product type: Splashpad®
Breathing New Life into Parc Valois Splashpad®
Project Overview
The Parc Valois Splashpad® upgrade is a clear example of how municipalities can modernize aquatic play in a cost-efficient, low-impact, and climate-resilient way, while preserving existing infrastructure.
Completed in collaboration with Groupe Lavallée, the installation partner, the project focused on extending the life of the existing system, improving comfort for families, and creating a more engaging, intergenerational play environment.
The Parc Valois Splashpad® reopened ahead of the summer season, with minimal disruption for the community.
Why Parc Valois Splashpad® Matters in Pointe-Claire
As a waterfront city, Pointe-Claire offers residents a wide range of aquatic activities. Splashpads are among the most popular summer amenities, providing a safe, accessible, and inclusive way to cool off during hot weather.
Maintaining and upgrading this existing Splashpad® is therefore essential, as it serves nearby residential areas, families, and local schools and plays a vital role as a community cooling asset within the City’s aquatic network.
Splashpads are popular and offer universal access, supporting safe, free, and extended seasonal use.
The Upgrade Challenge
The City set out to modernize the Splashpad® while addressing several key constraints:
- Preserve the existing footprint and underground infrastructure
- Create clear, age-appropriate play zones
- Improve caregiver comfort by reducing overspray near seating
- Minimize downtime and reopen before summer vacation
Key Technical Considerations Before Refurbishing a Splashpad®
Upgrading a splashpad is not simply a matter of replacing play features. A successful project starts with a series of technical checks that confirm what can be reused, adapted, or upgraded.
- Existing Infrastructure and Anchoring
The Parc Valois Splashpad® was equipped with SafeSwap™ anchoring technology, allowing new compatible play features to be installed without modifying the concrete slab. In some cases, adapter flanges can be used to transition between anchor sizes, enabling greater flexibility in feature selection. - Flow Rate (GPM) and System Capacity
Introducing new features can impact water demand. Evaluating available flow rates early helps ensure proper performance without overloading the system and may highlight the need to adjust valves or plumbing. After the upgrade, sequencing is typically updated to balance pressure and optimize performance. - Control Systems and Programming
Controller type is another key factor. Older technologies may limit programming options. At Parc Valois, the MaestroPro™ controller enabled flexible sequencing and fine-tuning after installation. - Spray Zones, Orientation, and Site Constraints
Feature orientation, spray reach, slopes, and available play area must be carefully validated. SafeSwap™ anchors allow features to be rotated in defined increments, helping optimize spray direction while respecting site boundaries and safety clearances.
A Low-Impact Refurbishment Strategy
- Reusing Existing Infrastructure with SafeSwap™
SafeSwap™ anchors made it possible to replace and reorient play features while reusing the existing concrete slab. This significantly reduced civil work, shortened installation time, and minimized disruption to park operations.
“These types of interventions allow for very fast installation timelines, at a lower cost, while minimizing disruption. Communities can continue to enjoy their parks throughout the year, as only a few days of on-site work are required to give existing infrastructure a second life.”
Groupe Lavallée, Installation Partner
- Designing with Confidence Using 3D
Vortex’s design team used 3D modelling to visualize the play experience, validate splash zones and safety clearances, and ensure the layout respected boundaries and circulation. This process strengthened stakeholder alignment and reduced uncertainty prior to installation. - Water Efficiency as a Design Advantage
Low-flow play features supported sustainability principles while simplifying system demands, enabling a dynamic and engaging experience with responsible resource use.
Three Age-Related Bay Areas
Parc Valois was designed using Vortex’s Bay Concept, an age-based planning approach that organizes aquatic play into distinct zones for toddlers, families, and teens. This structure was preserved during the modernization to ensure safe, engaging, and inclusive play experiences for all ages.
- Toddler Bay: Gentle, low-intensity play with clear separation from higher-energy zones, improving comfort and supervision for caregivers
- Family Bay: Interactive, cause-and-effect features that encourage shared, intergenerational play
- Teen Bay: More dynamic features designed to support interactive play, teamwork, and friendly competition
Before the upgrade, splash overlap and limited zoning reduced comfort for caregivers and constrained play diversity. The new layout resolves these issues through clearer bay separation, optimized spray orientation, and improved seating conditions.
Delivery Timeline
- Plan Review: November 2024. Updated drawings based on original SafeSwap™ anchor locations
- Product Order: January 2025. Placed order for new products
- Coordination: April-May 2025. Pre-installation meetings with Groupe Lavallée
- Installation: June 4, 2025. Installation day (critical pre-summer deadline)
- Commissioning: June 2025. Water level tuning and new play sequencing via the MaestroPro™ controller
The modernized Splashpad® was completed ahead of summer vacation. It continues to serve families, young children, and nearby schools as a key summer destination in Pointe-Claire.
Results and Takeaways
What Changed:
- Modernized play experience through targeted upgrades
- Improved zoning for intergenerational use
- Better caregiver comfort near seating areas
- Water-efficient, sustainable operation
- Project delivered on time for peak summer season
What this enables:
- A replicable model for other aging splashpads
- Faster modernization and upgrades with reduced disruption
- A future-ready site that can evolve over time
Planning a Splashpad® Modernization?
We can help you evaluate existing infrastructure, validate splash zones, and design an inclusive, water-efficient play experience aligned with municipal objectives.
