Creative children ‘Brighton up’ Christchurch’s Hot Pools site

Local schoolchildren have brought a splash of creativity to the 30-metre hoarding around New Brighton’s Hot Pools work site.

Twenty-four pupils from Rawhiti School, New Brighton Catholic School and South New Brighton School have been busy decorating the seaside site, with more artwork still to come from Nova Montessori School.

Development Christchurch Limited (DCL) Chief Executive Rob Hall says creating an artwork on the construction fence is a wonderful way to get local schools involved in the Hot Pools project and give it a true “New Brighton” look.

“It’s great to see so many local children making their mark on what is set to be a fantastic local facility,” Mr Hall says.

Local children work with artist Kyla K on the Hot Pools hoarding.

“We also know that using artwork on construction hoardings can reduce vandalism and graffiti, so we saw the event as a win-win for the whole community.”

Local artist Kyla K has worked with the youngsters to create the stunning mural illustrating what they most love about their beach.

She has also completed her own artwork in Marine Parade, celebrating surfing in New Brighton.

“DCL approached me to create artwork to ‘Brighton up’ the area while the Hot Pools were being built, with the idea of moving both murals elsewhere around New Brighton after the pools were open,” the artist says.

“There is no greater joy than seeing others light up by doing what they love, so helping a group of super talented young artists create a massive mural celebrating what they love about the beach has been a real buzz,” she says.

“They gave good thought to what they each loved about the sand, ocean and sky at New Brighton while sketching and then drew their artworks into the mural.

“They are such a vibrant and talented bunch of creatives.”

Kyla K’s own mural focuses on her love of surfing.

“As a lover of the ocean, the beach is naturally infused into my art,” she says.

“I love the chilled out vibe of surf culture, and creating art that reflects the freedom of surfing. New Brighton is my local beach, so I was stoked to create a mural celebrating the art of surfing.

“Duke Kahanamoku – the legendary Hawaiian surfer – brought surfing to New Brighton in 1915. So I was keen to include him in the artwork, among local surf legends I've spotted over the years.”

Work is stepping up on the regeneration of the seaside suburb with the creation of the five-pool complex.

The pools will range in temperature from 25 degrees to 40 degrees.

The Hot Pools work site mural in New Brighton.