Christchurch Council introduces innovative new Learn-to-Swim pool

Christchurch City Council has unveiled a new Learn-to-Swim pool, dedicated to providing swimming lessons for children, at its Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre.
The 16-metre, four-lane pool is dual-depth: depending on children's needs, its water level can be changed from 0.75 metres to one metre in a short space of time, providing a shallow, confidence-building environment.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker explains "this innovative feature makes the pool perfect for teaching kids of all ages and abilities, from pre-schoolers up.
"It's this sort of innovation that has seen our Recreation and Sports Unit recognised for their continued delivery of top-notch swimming programmes following Christchurch's earthquakes, and I'm incredibly proud of what they've achieved."
The Council's Swim Education Team was presented with the Sealord New Zealand Water Safety Awareness Award in 2011.
In 2006, as part of its Aquatic Facilities Plan, the Council identified that a new, shallow pool was needed at Pioneer to provide swim education opportunities for younger children and to free up space in the other pools for other users.
The facility also includes changing rooms, toilets and a shower.