Aquaticum Debrecen Strand: Hungary’s most modern thermal park A three-dimensional water experience – a little oasis of wellness and sustainability – has rapidly come to fruition in the middle of the Great Forest of Debrecen, Hungary. The Aquaticum Water Park opened its doors in May 2020, and is the latest strand in a HF200bn (US$660m, €590m, £510m) transformation project for Debrecen, which is Hungary's second-largest city. There has already been the creation of a new cultural centre, stadium and sports pool, and the city's zoo and theme park are also to be redeveloped. However, the cuboid structures of the Aquaticum are already rising above the trees in the Great Forest (also known as Nagyerd).
Designed by Hungarian firm BORD Architectural Studio, the attraction – a combination of spa, lido and waterpark – is presented with a structure of cascading waterfalls (enclosed within glass walls to reduce noise), and laid out over multiple storeys. The waterpark serves the local community as well as drawing tourists, and has a capacity of 6,000 people per day. The park has adventure and sports pools, with each pool experience separated either by glass walls with water cascading down, or "living" walls, covered by green plants. The largest of the pools is a 1,160sq m (12,500sq ft) adventure pool with a water cave, lazy river, a bar and four different types of slides. There are also training pools, a water polo pool and a diving pool with diving stages up to 4m (13.1ft) high. For a more relaxing time, there is a 12m (40 foot) high sun deck with loungers, spa pools and entry to wood-clad waterslides, which has been supplied by Hungarian manufacturer Eleven.
Debrecen Nagyerdei Strand has become the largest waterpark in the city with a total water area of 5,700 square meters and uses water from thermal wells.
Fluidra was awarded the supply and installation of the equipment for 22 swimming pools for the Debrecen Nagyerdei Strand water park. The amount of the contract amounts to more than 2 million euros. Fluidra, which has also participated in the design of the equipment, managed the installation of the pools in coordination with the construction company. The project, which was completed in April 2020 as scheduled, includes the installation by Fluidra of the equipment for the engine rooms, including 44 filters and more than 100 pumps, among others. The group also ran the hydraulic system embedded in the pool basin and carried out pressure tests before concreting.
