$1 swims for eastern suburbs

Families in eastern suburbs will be able to swim close to home when Linwood Ave School opens its pools to the public on 6 December.

Rawhiti Community Sport Inc, which opens the North New Brighton School pool after school hours and during summer holidays, will also run the Linwood pools.

Entry will cost just $1.

The school, on the corner of Aldwins Road and Linwood Ave, has two pools - one 30m long and the other 18m. Both were damaged in the February earthquake and were unused until October last year. The school received money from Christchurch Earthquake Appeals Trust and the Ministry of Education to repair and refurbish the pools.

Linwood Ave School principal Gerard Direen says families in the area had gone through a lot of changes after the earthquakes and opening the pools for use after school and during the holidays would give children something positive in their lives.

"We are really thrilled that Rawhiti Community Sport has taken on this project and has helped to make it happen. We can't wait to see children enjoying the pool in their leisure time and having fun," Gerard Direen says.

Canterbury Community Trust contributed $20,000 to the project from its Need Help Now fund, Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board contributed $15,000 from its Discretionary Response fund, and $5000 came from the former Woolston Park Amateur Swimming Club.

"This project was not only a huge collaborative effort to get it up and running but a fantastic example of the kind of outside the square thinking that brings communities together in an inclusive and accessible way - communities come together around pools and recreational areas," says Tracey Chambers, Lead Trustee, The Canterbury Community Trust.

"The primary aim of the Need Help Now Fund is to provide support for those Christchurch communities who have lost so much in terms of infrastructure. This is particularly true of the eastern suburbs and this project in particular ticks all the boxes," Chambers says.

Hagley/Ferrymead Community Board Chairperson Sara Templeton says an aquatic facility for the eastern suburbs has been a priority for the board.

"Being able to support a $1 pool at Linwood Ave School fills the gap until a permanent solution is in place," Templeton says.

Rawhiti Community Sports Inc Board Member Alan Direen says about 8000 children used the North New Brighton pool last summer and he is expecting the Linwood Ave School pools to be just as popular.

The pools will be staffed with a manager and two lifeguards. Shade cloth and picnic tables will be added to the pool area to make it comfortable for users.

"The reason we are doing this is to give kids a place to go with their friends and family during summer," Alan Direen says.

Access to the pools is through a gate from the carpark on Aldwins Road.

The pool will be open over the summer from 6 December to 8 March. Opening hours are: After School - 4pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 11am to 6pm at weekends. During school holidays (12 December to 1 February) - 11am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day.

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