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It hasn’t been all thrills and splashes at Christchurch’s newest recreation centre, with a string of bumps and bruises reported from its hydroslides in the first month of operation.
Since opening to the public on December 17, the $500 million Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre hasrecorded 33 reported incidents linked to the hydroslides.
Of those incidents, 22 involved cuts, seven resulted in bruising and four saw riders become stuck.
The 33 hydroslide incidents are part of 163 total incidents logged.
The council defines an “incident” as any situation requiring first aid or staff intervention, which can include lost children and people needing assistance, not just injuries.
Nigel Cox, Christchurch City Council head of recreation, sports and events, said most of the 33 hydroslide injuries were reported to have come from slide joints.
“Additional sealant has been placed in locations where riders were reporting bumps and cuts,” Cox said.
“The council continues to work with the slide installers to review incidents and implement changes to enhance safety.”
Cox said water flow had also been increased to reduce the risk of riders getting stuck, and additional staff had been stationed at the entrance to the hydroslides to provide customers with verbal safety instructions.
Signage at the entrance sets out strict rules for riders, including a minimum age of 5, with children aged 5 to 7 required to be actively supervised by a caregiver aged 16 or older.
Swimwear with zippers, buckles or metal parts is prohibited, stopping within the slides is not allowed, and riders are instructed to exit the splash zone quickly and safely.
Health authorities also warn the slides are unsafe for anyone who is pregnant or has back, neck or heart conditions.
Further restrictions apply depending on the slide.
The trapdoor slide is limited to riders at least 140cm tall and weighing between 35 and 120kg, with users weighed before riding and required to remain in the specified position.
Tube slides require riders to be at least 120cm tall, use a raft, and comply with strict weight and occupancy limits, while body slides are restricted to one rider at a time, with a minimum height of 120cm and a maximum weight of 120kg.
The recreation and sport centre, on Moorhouse Ave in central Christchurch, is at 32,000sqm, the country’s largest indoor sport and aquatics facility.
Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre. Photo / Christchurch City Council
It includes a 50m competition pool, dive pool, five hydroslides, a large aquatic leisure zone and a Sensory Aqua Centre designed for inclusive participation.
There are nine indoor courts, including a three‑court Show Court with retractable grandstands for spectators, fitness and movement studios, and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base.
