MEDIA RELEASE 30 June 2008
Jellie Park Prepares For Re-Opening
With only weeks to go until Jellie Park emerges from its $12 million makeover, excitement is mounting amongst regulars
who’ve had to train elsewhere for the last year.
Jellie Park will offer year-round aquatic activities for western Christchurch, featuring 16 lanes of water (a new 25
metre, 8-lane, 2m deep pool suitable for aquatic sports; and a refurbished existing 25 metre, 8-lane pool with three
lanes raised for Learn to Swim classes) as well as a new toddlers pool and a refurbished existing learners pool. There
will also be:
the outdoor pool (re-opening in summer);
a new gymnasium;
new aerobics suite;
new changing facilities;
spa, steam room & sauna; and
the hydroslides - the old outdoor hydroslide (opening with the outdoor pool in November) and a new indoor model
(opening in August).
The bigger and better Jellie Park is the first facility to be developed under the Christchurch City Council’s Aquatic
Facilities Plan - designed to meet the city’s aquatic needs for the next 30 years by rolling out new and revamped
facilities.
Simon Battrick, the Council’s Western Area Recreation Manager, says overwhelming demand for pool space at Jellie Park
reinforces the Council’s Aquatic Facilities Plan and the $12 million that was spent redeveloping Jellie Park. “It shows
that the upgrade of Jellie Park was badly needed - but even so, we still won’t be able to meet everyone’s needs. We’re
already looking ahead to the planned Graham Condon Leisure Centre - which will help to meet increasing demand in the
north west of the city.
“The old Jellie Park was really struggling to offer access to everyone who wanted it and it was often the general public
who missed out. With the new Jellie Park we’re addressing that by reserving significant amounts of lane space so that
the public can come in here and swim on their own. We also want to make sure the facilities are available to schools and
clubs for meets and other events,” says Simon Battrick.
“We are so very fortunate to have such an amazing new training facility in the city - both for water based and fitness
activities. It is very gratifying to see Jellie Park being restored to its former status and to see such strong demand
for its facilities. As we settle into the new complex and assess demand patterns, we’ll be doing our very best to
satisfy as many swimmers as possible.
“For weeks now we have been fielding inquiries about the Learn to Swim programmes that we’ll be offering - and it’s
great to see the value that people place on a quality, professional swim programme. ” says Simon Battrick.
Jellie Park will be re-opening its doors to the public on Monday 4 August.
ends