It is a global first—a solar-powered, geothermal swimming-pool complex and the Slovakian resort of Poprad is the unlikely destination for this project.At Aquacity photocells have been built into the glass walls of the complex to generate enough power to operate a laser shows, a wave machine, and 380 individual massage jets.

SkyEurope has also introduced a Monday flight from Stansted to Poprad, which means UK travellers can visit for the weekend.

Called `Relax,’ this is the the world’s first solar powered, emission free, geothermal swimming pool complex, opened at the British owned, eco-friendly water park, hotel and leisure complex at AquaCity Resort, Poprad. The complex opened in northern Slovakia on 30th June 2007.

AquaCity’s new luxurious pool centre is housed in a 12m high, steel, glass and wood structure, powered by electricity generated by photo-cells in the facade, with heating, pool water and showers supplied by geothermal water, in keeping with the entire AquaCity resort, to be ecologically and environmentally sound.

Owner and entrepreneur Jan Telensky said “As parents relax in the massage pools watching their kids playing on the slides, tunnels and chutes, electricity is being generated through photo-cells in the triple-glazed façade. For those who care about conserving energy and protecting the earth, it’s a stark and poignant reminder that we’re not saving the planet for ourselves, we’re saving it for our kids”.

`Relax’ comprises of an adult pool centre, beautifully tiled with gold, platinum, white and blue ceramic mosaic tiles, with a 35m x 35m central, circular wave pool and four satellite pools equipped with 380 massage jets, adjacent to a children’s water play area. Light effects change the water colour and spectacular, regular laser shows create three dimensional, virtual reality effects, projected onto a 9m high wall of water, cascading at 900 litres per second.

All of the Relax pools are equipped for less able guests, with lifts and ramp access and pool-side hoists to enable even wheel-chair bound visitors to join in the relaxation and fun.

In keeping with the ethos of AquaCity Resort, `Relax’ in no way compromises on luxury or value in delivering an ecologically sound product. Contrary to the high priced, low quality associations of green products, Jan Telensky uses green technology to his and his customers’ advantage, by driving down the cost of powering the world-beating resort through using freely available resources of wind, water and sun, instead of fossil fuels, to enable him to invest in luxurious surroundings and facilities.  In 2006 AquaCity saved 2.5 million euros on conventional energy costs which is ploughed back into creating luxurious accommodation and facilities at AquaCity resort.

In terms of its green credentials, AquaCity resort saves up to 30,000 kg of carbon emissions per day, compared with a similar sized Alpine resort, being virtually self-powered, generating 80% of its electricity requirement and supplying its numerous pools and water park with geothermal water, drilled from a vast subterranean lake.

Once the new Relax centre has opened AquaCity’s water park facilities will include two full sized geothermal outdoor pools, a Mayan Pyramid summer water park, a complex of indoor, mineral rich, geothermal pools, a full size Olympic swimming pool and a range of children’s pools and play areas.

Accommodation at AquaCity is offered in a choice of 3* and 4* hotels, it has a restaurant, bars, conference facilities and gyms, a Vital World inhalation, sauna and spa centre, and a Cryotherapy centre and is designed and constructed so that, should they choose not to, guests never have to leave the complex once checked in.

Jan Telensky added “At last politicians and governments are talking about what I’ve been saying for years, which is that we cannot continue destroying the planet at the rate at which we’ve been doing for centuries. But it’s only people like me who are turning talk into reality and I hope that the example I’m setting at AquaCity will be recognised and adopted worldwide. Relax is breaking new ground, setting new standards and saving our planet for our kids and theirs too”.

Aquacity was recently nominated for ‘World’s Leading Green Resort’ and ‘Slovakia’s Leading Hotel’ at the 2007 World Travel Awards.
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