Trapdoor starts, going over a ramp on a high arch into a landing basin, various spirals and preferably 500 metres long – these were the ideas, which around 70 children brought with them on Saturday to the headquarters of Stadtwerke Bonn. This was probably the first slide workshop in the world. They were allowed to build models with a variety of materials ranging from coloured foil and plasticine to washing machine hoses. Five variations of the best suggestions were then built on the basis of which various slides in the future swimming pool are to be installed. 300 families were sent invitations in a random sample by the residents’ registration office and organisers were surprised by the response.

According to the project manager Hermann Ulrich, one million Euros are available and the pool’s architecture allows for the installation of up to five slides, which will mainly run outdoors. None of them will be 500 metres long, noted architect Ernst Ulrich Tillmanns: “100 metres is a good length.” He and Ulrich were very taken with the creativity of the children, as were the representatives of a slide building company from Fulda, who gave one or two tips.

There should be something for everyone, which is why categories were created at the start: free fall, loops, tyre slides and more. Mia (11), Marie (12) and Manja (8) had a design idea that ended up on the favourites list: they built a country slide in which tourist attractions are painted in the pipes. There was also the “Heaven and Hell” model, which has two slide paths. In addition, the “Skyfall” free fall slide and a “Galaxy Bowl” with a round funnel could also be used. Everything is to be complemented with sound and light effects.

(Original text: Stefan Knopp. Translation: Kate Carey)