New Zealand's biggest waterslide to be installed at Palmerston North's Lido Aquatic Centre

Two new aquatic attractions, including what will be New Zealand's biggest waterslide (hydroslide), are to be installed at the Lido Aquatic Centre in Palmerston North.

Set to be operational for the 2014/15 summer, the centre will soon offer a Superbowl ride and an AquaPlay children's aquatic play structure - supplied by WhiteWater West and installed by WhiteWater's New Zealand representative, QEII Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd.

Palmerston North City Council has given final approval for the project which includes a 14 metre high Superbowl slide, a speed slide that exits from the same tower and the AquaPlay structure, which includes 51 water play features.

The project is a joint venture between Lido management, Community Leisure Management (CLM) and QEII Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd with Palmerston North City Council contributing $300,000 towards supporting infrastructure and landscaping.

Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor says it’s a very exciting project as the new slides are signature rides and aren’t comparable to existing waterslides anywhere in New Zealand.

Mayor Naylor explains “over $1.5million worth of aquatic facilities will be installed which will make the Lido a great entertainment destination for families.

“It’s going to provide the City with a wow factor attraction.”

Council Parks and Property Manager John Brenkley says the AquaPlay feature is a specialised play structure installed on a wet deck area, stating "there is no pool beneath the structure making it ideal for younger children who are not old enough for the signature slides.

“Everyone who uses the pool complex will be able to use the AquaPlay feature as it will be covered in the casual admission fee.”

CLM plan to raise the casual entry fee for an adult from $4 to $5 and for a child from $3 to $4. The increase to the casual entry fee will be the first since 2010 and won’t be revised again for another three years.

Meanwhile, concession ticket prices will only rise by an inflation adjustment while an all-day pass to the slides would be set at $12.

The slides will be installed and owned by QEII Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd who will also carry out all maintenance work on them for the first 15 years.

They will be operated on a day-to-day basis by the CLM team at the Lido, with QEII Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd paying for these operating services.

A statement from CLM explains "this project will be a great display of a partnership between both the Public and Private sector and is a very exciting opportunity for the Lido Aquatic Centre and the city of Palmerston North.

"We expect to attract people from further afield into this fantastic facility."

Click here to visit the Lido Aquatic Centre website.

For more information on WhiteWater West products in New Zealand contact QEII Hydroslides Ltd/White Water NZ Ltd contact Grant Brenton on NZ Toll-free: 0800 AQUAPLAY, E: info@whitewaterslides.co.nz, www.whitewaterslides.co.nz

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