Locals to swim for less than a dollar a day

 The price structure for the new Queenstown Aquatic Centre, announced today, will enable locals to swim for less than a dollar a day, Lakes Leisure aquatic general manager Cam Sheppard said.

“We have been working with the Lakes Leisure Board and the Queenstown Lakes District Council to makes sure that the pool is both economical and affordable, with a particular emphasis on local residents,” Mr Sheppard said.

The result was a subsidised year’s membership rate that could be paid monthly as a direct debit (subject to conditions) that cost $3 per week for children, including high school age children, $8 a week for adults and $6 a week for beneficiaries and senior citizens.

“Comparatively $315 a year for adult membership is cheaper than Splash Palace in Invercargill ($337.50) and QEII in Christchurch ($420) and on a par with Moana Pool in Dunedin ($303),” Mr Sheppard said.

A child’s total yearly membership for the Queenstown aquatic centre was $120 and a beneficiary or senior citizen $235. Family membership packages included 2 adults and all dependent children at $750 a year or $16.50 a week.

Membership also entitled local swimmers to free access to the Arrowtown Memorial Pool.

Three month membership options were also available, as were 10-concessions swims. “We have tried to cater for all markets, with savings in the concessions,” Mr Sheppard said.

On the other hand casual fees had been set to capture the visitor market. “The cost of a casual swim, capturing visitors and tourists will be $8 for an adult and $3 for a child. A hydro slide add on, which gives you unlimited rides when the slide is running, will be an extra $8 for an adult and $3 for a child for visitors and concessions holders,” Mr Sheppard said.

“Without knowing what our overall visitor statistics will be we have adopted a cautious pricing structure,” Mr Sheppard said.

The centre would be on view at a public open day from 10-12.30 on Saturday, May 10 and would open for business on May 31. Pre-sales of concessions and memberships would be available from May 10.