Make a splash at Taiora: QEII over long weekend

People will have a right royal opportunity to try out the pools and fitness facilities at the new Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre over Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

The new $38.6 million centre will be officially opened on Thursday by Mayor Lianne Dalziel, with the doors thrown open to the public from 6pm that night.

A young girl plays in the pool at Taiora:QEII.

“There are some very excited people in the community who cannot wait to have a splash in the pools and to go down the new hydroslide, so we’re expecting to have a very busy opening weekend,’’ says Christchurch City Council Recreation and Sports Operations Manager Nigel Cox.

“Fortunately we are heading into a long weekend so there will be lots of opportunities for people to explore the centre and enjoy the new facilities.

“Taiora: QEII has been designed for people of all ages and on Friday we’re encouraging elderly members of the community to come along and experience the new centre. It has a fantastic warm water hydrotherapy pool which will be great for people with muscular pains and conditions like arthritis.

“We’ll be running an aqua gentle class in the hydrotherapy pool at 9am on Friday morning as well as a gentle exercise class in the fitness centre at 10.30am.

“In the evening the pools will be open through until 11pm and we’ll have a DJ in the pool area between 6 and 10pm to create a real party atmosphere.

“On Saturday and Sunday we’ve got lots of fun activities planned for the kids. There will be large inflatables pool toys for them to play with and jumping castles where they can burn off excess energy. And, of course, the hydroslide will be open for thrills and spills,’’ Mr Cox says.

Taiora: QEII will also be open on Monday 4 June between 7am and 8pm.

Thursday 31 May, entertainment from 4pm–6pm

• Live music by Better than Bacon
• Bouncy castle
• Fun and games with faeries - get your nails painted by a faerie and keep your stick on tattoo for after you’ve been for a swim.
• Crazy performances from the Outwits and Sport Suzie. Watch the Outwits hunt a crazy Sea Monster who has come to check out the new pools while Sport Suzie gets you moving with her trademark high energy act. 
• DJ Ryan’s pool disco, 6pm–10pm

Friday 1 June

• DJ Ryan’s Friday night pool disco, 6pm–10pm

Saturday 2 June

• Bouncy castles, noon–4pm
• DJ Ryan’s daytime disco, noon–4pm

Sunday 3 June

• Bouncy castles, noon–4pm
• DJ Ryan’s daytime disco, noon–4pm