Water Factory in Szczecin
Water Factory is a huge pool and educational complex located in the very center of Szczecin. The investment is situated at the intersection of Szczaniecka and 1 Maja streets. It is the most modern facility of this type in Poland.
The location is not accidental. The complex was built on the site of the historic Gontynka bathing area and directly refers to it. A river flows through the middle of the facility, creating a water cascade. This is possible, among other things, thanks to the use of natural terrain slopes.
The water infrastructure created in Szczecin is extremely extensive. From sports pools, through paddling pools and water playgrounds, to “infinity pools” resembling waterfalls. In total, on three floors, there are as many as 17 indoor pools with a total water surface area exceeding 2000 m2.
As part of the investment, among others, a recreational pool with a water swing, a volleyball court, climbing nets, a water curtain, hydromassage loungers, and underwater geysers were created, as well as a sports pool with a movable bottom, a VIP recreational pool with a screen, an adventure cave and a multimedia cave, and a fast-moving river. Another four pool basins are located outside the building.
The largest of these was planned as a recreational pool. In a slightly smaller one, there is a water playground, and the two smallest basins will form a children’s paddling pool and an inflow pool. The interior of the hall is equipped with skylights made of ETFE foil, which transmits UV radiation, allowing tanning inside the building. The special foil, besides enabling tanning, also reduces noise and lowers operating costs.
Spa enthusiasts may be attracted by one of the largest saunas in Poland. There are as many as 16 saunas (desert, castle, fireplace, paradise island, Slavic, maritime, volcanic, cinema, hammam, and even a block sauna designed for children). The sauna area includes brine graduation towers, cooling pools, snow and ice grottos, and beer baths.
At Water Factory, as many as 11 slides with a total length of half a kilometer were designed. The longest – a raft slide – is 77 meters long. Others include a racing slide consisting of two symmetrical tubes 59 meters long, the “Małysz Ski Jump” slide (29 m), and a family slide measuring 14 meters.
Next to the pools, amphitheater, and terrace, which will turn into an ice rink in winter, an educational center will also be created in the second wing of the facility. Its main theme is water. The center houses exhibitions and laboratories where experiments are conducted.
The sports offer at Water Factory is complemented by a zone with a bowling alley, billiard tables, a climbing wall, a gym, and squash courts.
The total usable area is just over 17,000 m2, while simultaneously carrying out accompanying works related to the development of an area of 5 hectares.
