Palmerston North’s new waterpark a hit in the first month

Over 10,000 people have ridden the new SuperBowl and SpeedSlide hydroslides at Palmerston North’s Lido Aquatic Centre since opening in December last year.

The Manawatu waterpark offers the biggest waterslide in the North Island, with the latest in water park technology and it’s proving a hit with locals and visitors alike.

Waterpark creators Grant Brenton and Paul Jackman from QEII Hydroslides Limited are ecstatic with its popularity.

Jackman explains “the technology in the slides now is next level and the kids – and grown-up kids - love it.

“You would have to go to the Gold Coast to ride a similar water slide.

“People are making the trip from all over to give it a go – from Hawke’s Bay to Wellington, it’s been great.”

The main slide in the park – the SuperBowl has been popular with families. The green and white (Manawatu colours), flying saucer looking, 12.5 metre high slide will propel those willing to take the plunge riding a one or two person tube into the main bowl with enough G-forces to spin them round the bowl up to four times before being sucked out down the shutdown shoot.

Also popular with the thrill seekers is the SpeedSlide, which drops riders at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour down a near-vertical shoot.

The park is also proving a hit with parents looking for a day excursion with their children during the school holidays.

Palmerston North City Council entered into a public-private partnership with facility managers Community Leisure Management (CLM) and QEII Hydroslides to undertake this $2.3 million transformation of its established aquatic centre into a water park - contributing $300,000. QEII Hydroslides funded the balance. CLM provide daily operational services and lease the AquaPlay from QEII Hydroslides.

The project has injected $1.5 million into the local economy so far.

Water at the attraction is heated to 25 degrees and the park operates from September to April.

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

11th April 2014 - NEW ZEALAND’S BIGGEST WATERSLIDE TO BE INSTALLED AT PALMERSTON NORTH’S LIDO AQUATIC CENTRE

8th December 2010 - CLM INTRODUCES WATERSLIDE SAFETY POLICY