Rocket slide nears blast-off

A new rocket slide is being installed at Memorial Park. Photo / John Borren

Tauranga's third rocket slide is being installed in Memorial Park.

The last rocket slide was demolished in 2014 and a new slide is currently being put together in the park.

Steelworks worker Kolinio Tuiraviravi said he expected the slide to be ready next Saturday.

"It's made better than the old one," Mr Tuiraviravi said.

He said the rocket would have two slides, one tubed shape and another straight slide.

The steel frame would be timbered on the outside.

The impressive frame towered over the playground near the water fountain yesterday and a crane held one of the slides ready to be assembled.

Aunty Britts Beckwitch, who was at Memorial Park with her nephew, said she thought the slide looked "pretty awesome".

Stacie Swanson said the slide looked "really cool", and her children would be excited to useit.

"They were really disappointed when the last one was taken down," Ms Swanson said.

The old rocket slide was taken down after it was deemed unsafe.

A family fun day will be held on December 12 from 11am to 2pm to launch the rocket.