Media Release

9000 people through $1 Pools in the East over summer.

With the summer coming to an end, Rawhiti Community Sports look back on the success of both Rawhiti and Linwood Ave pools. With over 3000 entries for Linwood Ave pool and 6000 entries for Rawhiti Primary school pool.

The $1 pool project was established after the devastating 2011 earthquake took the East-sides only public swimming complex, QEII.

The $1 pools were open for 14 weeks over the summer period to provide affordable, local access for families and children. Lane swimming was also offered in the early hours for the very keen.

The project has been funded by the Burwood/ Pegasus and Hagley/ Ferrymead community boards and Canterbury Community Trust. Alan Direen RCSI Board representative says “Without their support people in our local community would have to travel a lot further to access aquatic services”.

RCSI believe this has been a successful partnership between the local schools and RSCI to allow kids to walk or ride to their local pool.

RCSI were lucky to have an expert team of lifeguards who provided entertainment and opportunity for families to gain more swimming experience.

RCSI have started the process of securing funding for the 2015/16 season, we have received about half the funding so far from the Redcross fund. The plan is to continue this project until adequate aquatic services are replaced in the community.

ENDS

Background information

For further comments and information please contact Alan Direen 021906235

This is the third year of this project but the first year for the linwood Ave pool.

Participants are local from surrounding areas. Mostly families and older children.

There has been a number of regulars attending almost daily.

The Rawhiti School is under construction, with support from the Ministry of Education they have maintained access for the public to the pool for the next season.

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