Schlitterbahn Beach Resort

Schlitterbahn South Padre Island was transformed into Schlitterbahn Beach Resort. The remade park was connected to the former Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort which had been out of commission since Hurricane Dolly in 2008. The water park resort features 222 rooms of upscale lodging, restaurants, shops and a convertible indoor water park with new rides, slides and other amenities including Gulf beach access.

A large percentage of the floor space of the park is in standing or moving water, making maintenance extremely difficult and expensive.

Hot-dip galvanizing was specified for the project for the corrosion performance in the intense ocean spray and the heavily chlorinated water. A large percentage of the floor space of the park is in standing or moving water, making maintenance extremely difficult and expensive. Extreme weather and heat are common to South Padre Island so the park is covered by a giant galvanized steel braced shade that can be deployed 365 days per year, rain or shine.

Aesthetics were important in the decision to galvanize. HDG steel provides the strength to support the heavy slides loaded with guests, it can also be used creatively by wrapping with rope to accent the pirate theme of the park with no danger of corrosion beneath the constantly wet ropes. The exposed HDG steel adds to the ambiance of the park to promote relaxation for young and old. The contractor had previous experience with HDG on prior water part projects. The owners compared HDG with paint, which they found competitive, yet when matched with the life-cycle cost of each, HDG was the clear winner. It is not unusual to see Frisbees thrown into the galvanized braces supporting the retractable roof or metal ice chests being pushed into the galvanized columns, but none to worry, the abrasion-resistance and durability of the HDG coating means no repair is necessary.