Fast Hydroslide Closure

Lakes Leisure has volunteered the closure of the one of Alpine Aqualand’s hydroslide rides, after discussion with the Department of Labour, Queenstown Lakes District Council community services general manager Paul Wilson said.

“Effectively since the slide opened we have had a series of relatively minor incidents on the fast hydroslide, that neither the Council nor Lakes Leisure is satisfied with,” Lakes Leisure facilities general manager Cam Sheppard said.

Despite implementing regulations recommended to eliminate further incident – placing a height and age restriction on the fast slide – there had continued to be issues, Mr Sheppard said.

A recent incident, involving a women in her 20’s reportedly receiving a knock to the head, occurred despite the woman adhering to the safety advice given by a staff member at the top of the slide and signage.

“The Department of Labour visited the pool this morning and it was agreed to shut the fast slide down in the interim. The Council has commissioned an independent review of the slide with an agreed expert, possibly with an aim to revisit one of the corners in the design” Mr Wilson said.

Until an appropriate solution for the safe public use of the slide could be identified and implemented the slide would remain closed.

“I am confident that Lakes Leisure has exhausted all practical minimisation and supervisory steps and that the next step is most likely a re-configuration of the slide,’ Mr Wilson said.

It was disappointing that the slide could not be used to its intended capacity but public safety was paramount.

“The issue has been ongoing and we need to get it right,” Mr Wilson said.