Country’s Tallest Hydroslides Reach New Heights

Not content with having two ‘great’ new hydroslides, New Plymouth District Council intends to make one of them out of this world.

“We’re adding another two metres to the height of the advanced hydroslide, so it will be 16 metres high,” says Manager Recreation and Events Paul Nisbet.

“One of the slides will be orientated to providing a cool, calm ride that all family members will enjoy – but with the other one, we’re really going for the doctor. With the extra two metres of height we can really push the turns and give the public a memorable experience.”

The double hydroslides are part of a major revamp of the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre that will give the indoor pool area an entirely new look and, later in the year, see the changing rooms and toilets renovated and the outdoor pool area tidied up.

When completed in June, the two new hydroslides will be accessible from inside the pool complex, enabling year-round use. The existing four outdoor hydroslides will be removed after the outdoor pool season ends as part of the outdoor tidy-up.

The redevelopment of the indoor pools is proceeding well, with new floor surfacing being laid and new windows and feature walls on the west and south sides being installed.

“The painting isn’t completed yet but already it’s brighter within the indoor area,” says Mr Nisbet.

“When the indoor pools reopen to the public in mid-March, they’ll see a lighter, more airy facility that has a fresh feel to it.”

There are a number of permanent pool activity features which will be installed shortly after the pools have reopened. “We wanted to have them in the pool for the reopening but unfortunately due to manufacturing and delivery challenges from Canada, they won’t be arriving in time.

“However, once they get here we’ll be able to install them overnight so we won’t lose any more opening hours for the public,” says Mr Nisbet.

During the indoor pools’ closure, all of the aquatic centre’s regular programmes are continued in the outdoor pool.