Paddling pools to be repaired for summer

Repairs are underway, or due to begin, on four paddling pools across the city, ensuring they will be re-opened in time for families to enjoy this summer.

Repairs are underway on the New Brighton Whale Pool on the New Brighton Foreshore and the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Paddling Pool, while repairs are due to begin this week on the Abberley Park Paddling Pool in St Albans and the Woodham Park Paddling Pool in Linwood.

It is expected all the paddling pools will open during Show Weekend, which is the time of year they usually open. All the pools undergoing repairs, except the Botanic Gardens Paddling Pool, were closed last summer after they were damaged during the February 2011 earthquake. The Botanic Gardens Paddling Pool was open last summer but part of it was closed following the 23 December 2011 earthquake.

Acting General Manager Community Services John Filsell says the work being carried out on the pools includes repairing broken pipes, re-levelling the area surrounding the pools, and concrete repairs.

“Having a good splash around in a paddling pool has long been an important part of many families’ summer outings. With a number of paddling pools closed last year due to earthquake damage, it is wonderful to be able to help thousands of families to create their own memories again this summer,” Mr Filsell says.

Two of the four pools being repaired – the New Brighton Whale Pool and Christchurch Botanic Gardens Paddling Pool – are part of the top 30 facilities that the Council last week agreed should be prioritised for funding, further investigations and, where possible, repairs.

While the work being carried out to the Botanic Gardens Paddling Pool will allow it to re-open in time for summer, further repair work will be needed after the summer ends.

The development of repair options and potential costs for Scarborough Paddling Pool is continuing. The pool, which is the third paddling pool on the Council’s top 30 list, is more seriously damaged than the four that are being repaired. It will not re-open in time for the 2012/13 season, along with the Avebury Paddling Pool.