While the return to pre-pandemic normalcy may be moving more slowly than most had hoped, one thing is certain: guests have begun to frequent local pools and waterparks again. As the attractions industry continues to recover, Ramaker is excited to help bring more unique pool, waterslide, and aquatic facility concepts to life in 2022.

2021 was a big year for Ramaker’s aquatic design and engineering team. The firm provided engineering services for Tsunami Surge, the world’s tallest water coaster, at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago and Tidal Wave, the Midwest’s first tailspin waterslide, at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Rockford. With a diverse slate of waterpark projects planned for 2022, the firm is looking forward to building upon this year’s momentum.

Aquatic engineering for Turtle Island Water Park

In 2020, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians announced plans to expand the Sky Dancer Casino & Resort in Belcourt, North Dakota, and create Turtle Island Water Park. The 23,000-square-foot indoor waterpark will include an aquatic play structure, a lazy river, and wading and recreation pools. Ramaker is providing aquatic engineering services for the addition, which will pay homage to the tribe’s culture and history.

American Resort Management is the waterpark operations consultant for the project with DSGW Architects leading the architecture and design efforts. Other vendors include major industry players, such as OpenAire and Splashtacular. OpenAire is involved with the indoor waterpark’s building structure, and Splashtacular will supply waterslides and play features for the aquatic facility. Woodstone, Inc. is the general contractor.

Anticipation builds for Medusa’s SlideWheel

What would happen if you combined a Ferris wheel with a waterslide? The answer: WhiteWater’s SlideWheel. This audacious feat of modern waterpark attraction design revolves like a Ferris wheel and propels riders forward by applying the Archimedes screw principle. Ramaker is thrilled to provide architectural and engineering services for the installation of Medusa’s SlideWheel at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park.

[Read more about Medusa’s SlideWheel.]

While the SlideWheel has captured the attention of local and national audiences, it is only one part of a larger initiative to improve guest experiences at Mt. Olympus. The park is also renovating and expanding the Mt. Olympus Indoor Water Park by 50%. Ramaker is providing architectural design and aquatic, civil, geotechnical, and MEPS engineering services for the 22,000-square-foot addition, which will include a large wading pool and activity pool as well as the SlideWheel and other guest amenities. Both Medusa’s SlideWheel and the expanded Mt. Olympus Indoor Water Park are scheduled to open in the summer of 2022.

Ramaker has been involved with every aquatic feature installation at Mt. Olympus since 1998.

Aquatic engineering services for Margaritaville Resort

Ramaker’s aquatic design and engineering work for 2022 extends beyond indoor waterpark projects. The firm is providing aquatic engineering services for the new Margaritaville Resort in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. Ramaker is also leading architectural design and MEP and structural engineering efforts for the 254-room luxury hotel. The resort’s 820-person capacity beachside leisure pool will feature a zero-depth entry area as well as 2,200 square feet of sun shelf for lounging in the water.

Continuing relationships with waterpark partners

Since 1992, Ramaker has been equally committed to developing thrilling experiences for park guests and building long-term relationships with its waterpark partners. The firm’s upcoming projects at Mt. Olympus, Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort, and The Water Main at Diggerland are a testament to the lasting partnerships the firm has cultivated with some of the best waterparks in the United States.

The Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, has partnered with Ramaker for countless aquatic, civil, geotechnical, and structural engineering projects since 1995. In 2022, the firm will provide aquatic and structural engineering services for the renovation of the Wild West Waterpark—the largest of the resort’s four indoor waterparks. With over 70,000 square feet of thrilling slides, leisure pools, and more, the Wild West Waterpark has become a staple of the Wisconsin Dells’ waterpark scene.

Improvements will include replacing the existing multilevel play structures and a waterslide tower and installing new waterslides. ProSlide, a leader in water ride design and manufacturing, will provide the new multilevel play structures, slide towers, and slides. Ramaker will also provide engineering services for updates to the existing wading pool, tot pool, and pool deck. Architectural Design Consultants, Inc. is leading the architectural efforts for the renovation.

Ramaker is also excited to continue its relationship with Diggerland USA. The theme park enlisted Ramaker to design The Water Main—the only construction-themed waterpark in the United States—in 2020. Now, the New Jersey-based theme park plans to expand its outdoor aquatic facility by adding an activity pool and wave pool with wave-generation equipment supplied by WhiteWater. Ramaker will provide aquatic and MEPS engineering services for the waterpark’s second phase of development.

About Ramaker

Ramaker is a full-service architecture, engineering, and interior design firm that provides innovative and efficient solutions for clients in the aquatics and recreation, cemetery, commercial development, hospitality, multifamily development, renewable energy, restaurant and retail, and telecommunications industries.

Ramaker’s range of in-house architectural design and engineering services has established the firm as a one-stop shop for projects of all scopes and sizes. A 100% employee-owned firm, Ramaker’s commitment to each project goes beyond services provided. The firm’s employee-owners are equally invested in meeting specifications and developing long-term relationships with clients. As a result of the Ramaker team’s efficiency and dedication, many clients trust the firm with ongoing work.

Headquartered in Sauk City, Wisconsin, Ramaker has additional locations in Denver, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Willmar, Minnesota; and Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. The firm also has field offices across the country. To learn more about Ramaker’s experience and service offerings, visit www.ramaker.com.