December 2022 - Waterbom Bali broke ground last month on stage one of a new park expansion, set to open in 2023, when the park will also be celebrating its 30th Anniversary. The expansion will add 1.3 hectares of fun to the park right next door - expect a new tropical, lagoon pool and sunken pool bar, poolside gazebos, new restaurants, a winding slide tower centrepiece with cantilevered viewing platform, and of course new slides.
With original plans to launch the new area in 2020, the covid pandemic put this on hold. Instead the land next to the park was transformed into a farm area by the team, providing veggies and fruit at low prices for the 300 staff kept on during the pandemic. Since Bali’s borders re-opened in April 2022, the park is filling with guests again, so Waterbom is now ready to grow organically and expand to over 5 hectares of fun and eco-friendly water adventures.
With a collective vision from Waterbom’s Founder, CEO and management team working closely with architect Conchita Blanco of Blanco Studio, the focal point of the new space will be the sustainably-designed 20 metre tall slide tower, an impressive monument featuring a cantilevered viewing platform allowing guests to enjoy a tree-top view over the park and new lagoon pool area.
"I designed a tower which is intertwined between the slides and through the trees as one unified piece. I wanted to create a sense of continuity by designing an experience of moving in a circular direction as you would when you are inside the waterslides. We want the guest's journey to the top of the tower to be a sensory climb through nature, while winding around the slides." - Conchita Blanco (Architect, Blanco Studio)
New slides will take centre stage, with 4 new thrills to experience, as well as locally-made poolside bamboo gazebos, and group spots for friends and families to gather together within the gardens between sliding.
Guests can enjoy more of the tasty, premium comfort food that Waterbom is known for, with an open-air 80 seat restaurant being added, with new Pan-Asian, Indonesian and Western favourites made fresh daily from local ingredients at live cooking stations, as well as a new tree-house style coffee spot with a selection of beans from Pupuan and other regions in Bali and Flores.
Waterbom works closely with Sustainability consultants, Mantra, to ensure every detail in the design will reduce their footprint and support their sustainability goals. The tower roof will feature solar panels positioned optimally to capture maximum sunlight throughout the day, plus a rainwater harvesting system will be installed and other energy and water saving initiatives working toward Waterbom’s net-zero goals.
“Eco-tourism, sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint has always been the core of Waterbom Bali. We have consciously developed the waterpark to compliment the natural environment, introducing business practices that reduce waste while protecting Bali’s natural resources. As a business leader it is important to be passionate and believe in these values which will create a ripple effect amongst employees, inspiring and encouraging them to act the same and be mindful about the environment.” - Sayan Gulino, CEO at Waterbom
Stage one is scheduled to open in June/July 2023, with a larger family and dedicated kid’s slide area slated as Stage 2 for end 2023 - so stay tuned for updates!
