14 Nov 2018

A wave of fun days is planned for Christchurch’s outdoor public pools as thousands of people prepare to splash into summer across the city.

Three of the Christchurch City Council’s five outdoor pools and all eight paddling pools will reopen on Saturday, 17 November, with the first pool party set for Sunday, 25 November at Te Hāpua Halswell.

Along with Waltham Pool and Lyttelton's Norman Kirk Memorial Pool, Te Hāpua Halswell is ready to kick off the pre-summer fun, followed by the opening of Templeton Pool on 1 December.

The outdoor pools at Jellie Park will open on Monday, 3 December following an upgrade. Work will now start on the facility’s change rooms, toilets, reception foyer and cafe.

Council Head of Recreation, Sports and Events Nigel Cox says the outdoor pools are primed for the busy holiday season.

“We are expecting another bumper time at our pools, based on the high demand last summer,” Mr Cox says.

“Both Te Hāpua Halswell and Waltham Pool recorded a huge rise in user numbers in 2017-18. Lyttelton's Norman Kirk Memorial Pool and Templeton Pool also proved to be popular summer spots with their local communities.”

Several of the city's outdoor pools open this weekend.

Several of the city's outdoor pools open this weekend.

For families making the most of a “staycation” over the holidays, the public pools offer a range of amenities, including hydroslides and toddler pools, along with several party days.

Both Waltham Pool and Te Hāpua Halswell will host “Tots and Toddlers” events on Sunday, 9 December and Saturday, 9 February, respectively.

Waltham will also celebrate the season with the “Big Xmas Party” on Sunday, 23 December.

Jellie Park will hold school holiday fun days on Saturday, 15 December, and Saturday, 19 January before wrapping up with an “Autumn Pool Party” on Saturday, 2 March.

Lyttelton will host a special “Summer Chill Out” on Sunday, 13 January.

From the Botanic Gardens to New Brighton, the city’s paddling pools are also spruced up and ready for action.

“We have eight Council-controlled paddling pools in stunning settings that will be open until the end of March next year,” Mr Cox says. “However, we are reminding parents and caregivers that children need to be supervised at all times as there are no lifeguards at the city’s paddling pools.”

Younger water lovers can enjoy the smaller pools in Abberley Park, Avebury Park, Edgar MacIntosh Park, Spencer Park and Woodham Park, along with the very popular Botanic Gardens, Scarborough Park and New Brighton foreshore sites.

Check out the Council website for more information.