Fun park danger claim

Rotorua's Leisure World is being investigated by Occupational Safety and Health following a litany of complaints and claims of a near drowning.

The investigation follows claims by Wellington couple Murray and Terry Ututaonga that the Marguerita St fun park is run down and unhygienic.

They also claim supervision is lacking at the park and while they were there a child needed medical attention after getting into trouble in a pool.

Leisure World owner Mike McGurk has hit back, saying while the park may not be the best looking facility, it is still completely safe.

He confirms a child needed reviving but says it was a vigilant staff member who spotted the boy was in trouble.

The Ututaongas have called on OSH, Water Safety New Zealand and the Rotorua District Council to fix the "blot on Rotorua's otherwise impeccably maintained city".

They visited Leisure World on December 30 when they witnessed a child being tended to by St John Ambulance officers.

They have also complained about:

* Rusted steps leading to the hydroslide and lack of staff supervising at the top of the hydroslide tower;

* Rotting and discoloured matting surrounding the spa pool;

* Dirty-looking barbecue facilities;

* No safety barrier or ladder on the slide in the children's playground;

* Ripped and torn covering on the Jurassic Park Mini Golf course and

* A staff member not washing hands or wearing gloves while preparing food.

"How did Leisure World pass an OSH inspection ... and be granted a hygiene certificate?" the couple asked.

They want Leisure World to refund their $104 entry fee for themselves and their two children.

"We have visited other water parks within New Zealand and on the Gold Coast and believe that Rotorua is the epicentre of tourist attractions in New Zealand.

However, the facilities at Leisure World leave much to be desired."

Mr McGurk said he thought the couple was either "professional complainers or have something against us ... It looks like they spent their whole time there compiling a list of things that were wrong with the place".

He questioned why, if they were so unhappy with what they found at the fun park, they did not leave much earlier instead of spending five hours there.

"The place isn't a gem, but it isn't that bad ... We aren't running a kindergarten and we can't watch everybody every second."

He said the child who had gotten into trouble in the pool on the day the Ututaongas visited had been spotted and quickly rescued by a staff member.

"He ran over and dived in and got the kid, who was coughing and spluttering.

"Our staff rang for the ambulance as a matter of precaution."

He said the child and child's family had been back several times since.

Occupational Service and Health manager Murray Thompson confirmed a complaint had been received and an investigation was about to be launched into the fun park.

In 2001 the park was closed down after the floor of the main building was corroded by hydrogen sulphide.

Rotorua Tourism Advisory Board chairman Neville Nicholson said he was "naturally disappointed" to hear someone claim they had had such a bad experience at a Rotorua attraction.

"The whole town relies on tourism to a large extent and it is disappointing that a facility in our city attracts this sort of complaint ... it lets the city down.

"We try and position ourselves as a quality centre."

Officials at Water Safety New Zealand were unavailable to comment.