Pandosy Waterfront Park FOGPAVER™
Pandosy Waterfront Park, located in the heart of Kelowna, British Columbia, serves as a stunning, family-friendly retreat along the shores of Okanagan Lake. As part of the city’s efforts to create a welcoming and interactive public space, Soucy Aquatik was contracted to design and install a cutting-edge water feature that could provide both aesthetic appeal and interactivity while adhering to the city’s stringent environmental requirements.
The city’s request was clear: they wanted a water feature that could emulate the refreshing experience of a traditional fountain but with significantly lower water consumption and maintenance needs. After reviewing various options, Soucy Aquatik proposed the innovative FOGPAVER™ system, a fog effect technology that delivers all the benefits of a fountain without excessive water use or complex filtration systems. This system perfectly aligned with the city’s sustainability goals, interactivity, and minimal maintenance.
This case study details the scope of work involved, the challenges encountered, and how Soucy Aquatik successfully overcame those obstacles to deliver a dynamic, ecofriendly solution that transformed Pandosy Waterfront Park into one of Kelowna’s most cherished public spaces.
How Our Services Helped this water feature
Soucy Aquatik’s role in the Pandosy Waterfront Park project encompassed designing, installing, and commissioning a bespoke water feature centered around the FOGPAVER™ system. The scope of work was multifaceted and included the following:
01 – Installation of the FOGPAVER™ System
The primary feature of the project was the installation of the FOGPAVER™ system, which provides fog effects to create a cooling, refreshing atmosphere without the need for large amounts of water. The design strategically placed the FOGPAVER™ units throughout the park, ensuring even distribution and maximum coverage, particularly in high-traffic areas near seating and walkways. This allowed park visitors to experience the benefits of a fountain without the environmental drawbacks.
02 – Integration of Touch-Activated Pavers
In addition to the fog effect system, Soucy Aquatik was tasked with incorporating interactive, touch-activated pavers provided by Watergush, a Mexico-based supplier. These innovative pavers allow visitors to control the water feature by triggering the fog with a simple touch. The pavers were installed in specific zones to encourage interaction and play, creating a dynamic, ever-changing water feature that appeals to families, especially children.
03 – Electrical and Control Systems
A vital project component was developing an integrated control system to manage the interplay between the FOGPAVER™ units and the touch-activated pavers. This required precise coordination between the design team, Soucy Aquatik’s engineers, and Watergush to ensure the system operated efficiently and reliably. The control system also featured energy-saving capabilities, automatically adjusting fog output based on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.
04 – Coordination with Suppliers and Stakeholders
Given that this was Soucy Aquatik’s first time working with Watergush, significant coordination was required to ensure the successful integration of the pavers with the park’s existing infrastructure. This included frequent communication with the city’s project team, landscape architects, and Watergush technicians to resolve technical challenges, particularly during the start-up and testing phases.
Challenges
While the installation of the FOGPAVER™ system was largely straightforward, the integration of the touch-activated pavers presented several unique challenges that required creative problem-solving:
01 – First-Time Collaboration with Watergush
Working with a new supplier, Watergush, posed some initial challenges, particularly during the design and implementation phases. The pavers needed perfect synchronization with the FOGPAVER™ system to ensure a seamless interactive experience. However, early testing revealed issues with the control systems, which delayed the start-up. After extensive troubleshooting, Watergush sent a technician to the site to work alongside Soucy Aquatik’s team and diagnose the problem. This collaboration ensured the system worked as intended, offering a smooth and responsive user experience.
02 – Control System Integration
The touch-activated pavers required a custom-built control system to manage the activation of the fog units. This control system was particularly complex, as it needed to account for multiple inputs from the pavers while allowing for automatic adjustments based on weather conditions. Ensuring the reliability of this system during peak times, such as during high-traffic hours and community events, required close coordination between the technical teams and careful calibration of the system on-site.
03 – Ensuring Water and Energy Efficiency
One of the city’s top priorities was to ensure that the water feature consumed as little water as possible while providing a cooling effect for park visitors. Soucy Aquatik leveraged the FOGPAVER™ system’s advanced misting technology to reduce water usage by over 80% compared to traditional fountains. The control system was also designed to minimize energy use by operating the misting units only when necessary, further contributing to the park’s sustainability goals.
How Soucy Aquatik Solved These Challenges
Soucy Aquatik’s experience in designing complex water features allowed the team to solve the project’s challenges through innovation, coordination, and technical expertise:
01 – Custom Solutions for Integration
Soucy Aquatik worked closely with Watergush to integrate their touch-activated pavers with the FOGPAVER™ system. The teams conducted several rounds of
testing and troubleshooting to ensure that the pavers responded appropriately and consistently to user input. By the time the project was completed, the control system operated flawlessly, allowing visitors to engage with the fog feature in an intuitive and enjoyable way.
02 – Collaborative Problem-Solving
The challenge of working with a new supplier was resolved through ongoing communication and coordination. Watergush’s technician was crucial in troubleshooting the paver system, and Soucy Aquatik’s on-site team ensured that all technical hurdles were overcome before the official launch. This level of collaboration ensured that the project met all of the city’s specifications and operated seamlessly.
03 – Efficient, Eco-Friendly Design
By employing the FOGPAVER™ system, Soucy Aquatik delivered a water feature that consumes a fraction of the water typically required for fountains. This system not only met Kelowna’s environmental requirements but also provided a lowmaintenance solution that will save the city thousands in upkeep costs over the lifespan of the park.
Project Outcome and Community Impact of the water feature
Since its completion, Pandosy Waterfront Park has quickly become a beloved destination for both residents and tourists. The FOGPAVER™ system provides visitors with a refreshing, interactive experience, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional water features. The touch-activated pavers have been particularly popular with children, who enjoy engaging with the system to control the fog, making the park a favorite family spot during the warmer months.
The park’s water feature has also become a focal point for evening events and gatherings. The fog effect and the illuminated pavers create a visually stunning spectacle after dark, transforming the park into a vibrant, engaging space for community activities.
The low-maintenance design and water efficiency of the FOGPAVER™ system have been crucial in keeping long-term costs low for the city. The system’s energy-saving features ensure that the park remains both a functional and sustainable public space, meeting the needs of today’s environmentally conscious citizens.
Conclusion
The Pandosy Waterfront Park project showcases Soucy Aquatik’s ability to deliver innovative, sustainable water features that meet complex technical requirements. Using the FOGPAVER™ system allowed the city of Kelowna to achieve its goals of creating a low-maintenance, interactive, and eco-friendly water feature that enhances the visitor experience.
By overcoming the challenges of working with new technology and suppliers, Soucy Aquatik demonstrated its expertise in delivering high-quality solutions that elevate public spaces. The park now represents what can be achieved when creativity, technical knowledge, and collaboration coincide to create something extraordinary.
