9 April 2014

Largest superbowl slide in the North Island will be operational in Palmerston North next summer

Palmerston North City Council has given final approval for the installation of a range of new outdoor equipment at the Lido Aquatic Centre.

The project includes a 14 metre high Superbowl slide that you can ride on a tube; a speed slide from the same tower that you can ride at around 17 metres per second; and, a zero depth AquaPlay playground, boasting 51 water paly features, for young children.

The project is a joint venture between Lido management, Community Leisure Management and QEll Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd. Palmerston North City Council will contribute $300,000 towards supporting infrastructure and landscaping.

Mayor Jono Naylor says it’s a very exciting project as the new slides are signature rides and aren’t comparable to existing water slides anywhere in New Zealand, however they are similar to the slide at Hanmer Springs.

“Over $1.5million worth of aquatic facilities will be installed which will make the Lido a great entertainment destination for families,” Mayor Naylor said. “It’s going to provide the City with a wow factor attraction.”

Parks and property manager John Brenkley says the Aquaplay feature is essentially a specialised play structure installed on a wet deck area. “There is no pool beneath the structure making it ideal for younger children who are not old enough for the signature slides,” he said. “Everyone who uses the pool complex will be able to use the Aquaplay feature as it will be covered in the casual admission fee.”

CLM plan to raise the casual entry fee for an adult from $4 to $5 and for a child from $3 to $4. The increase to the casual entry fee will be the first since 2010 and won’t be revised again for another three years. Concession ticket prices would only rise by an inflation adjustment. An all-day pass to the slides would be set at $12.

The slides will be installed and owned by QEll who will also carry out all maintenance work on them for the first 15 years. They will be operated on a day-to-day basis by the CML team at the Lido, however QEll will pay for these operating services.

John Brenkley says the new equipment, which is being sourced from overseas, will be operating by Christmas and will be in use from September to April each year.

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