A local waterpark design and manufacturing company has completed a massive expansion, doubling its manufacturing space.

Waterplay solutions purchased an old chopsticks manufacturing plant in Kelowna's North End several years ago, and much of the company's manufacturing has taken place in the 10,000 square foot facility since then.

Earlier this year, Waterplay completed construction at the facility, doubling its manufacturing area and adding office space for a total of 38,000 square feet.

“We started our expansion on this facility about three or four years ago, we started the design process, and we broke ground in January of 2018,” said Lisa Neilson, Waterplay's vice-president of corporate services.

Notable local Waterplay water parks include the recent revitalization at Kelowna's City Park, along with the water park at Ben Lee Park, but Waterplay has projects around the world, in the United States, Australia, Europe, Dubai and Singapore.

“Wherever people want to go play in the spray park, we're there,” Neilson said.

Waterplay traces its roots back to the 1980s, but it was bought by Vernon's Jill White in 2004, who began moving much of the manufacturing in house. That trend continues with the expansion of the facility's manufacturing space.

On Thursday, Waterplay held their grand opening of the new facility, now that most of the finishing touches have been put in place. Family and friends of the company's 64 local staff were treated to a barbecue and games, carrying on into the evening.

“It's been a great success story. Jill's made the investment right now in this new facility to position us for additional growth,” Neilson said. “We've also been filling out some of our team in order to allow us to better service some of the remote markets. We're looking forward to what's to come in the next 10 years.”