The Star: November 19, 2020
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Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz<br />
Thursday <strong>November</strong> <strong>19</strong> <strong>2020</strong> <strong>The</strong> <strong>Star</strong><br />
NEWS 35<br />
Hanmer Springs new water playground opens<br />
HANMER SPRINGS <strong>The</strong>rmal<br />
Pools and Spa’s newest attraction<br />
is officially complete.<br />
<strong>The</strong> new water playground,<br />
AquaPlay, was opened by<br />
students from Kaiapoi’s teen<br />
parent unit Karanga Mai and<br />
their children on Tuesday.<br />
<strong>The</strong> all-ages children’s<br />
AquaPlay area features brightly<br />
coloured water slides and spouts.<br />
General manager Graeme<br />
Abbot said the new AquaPlay<br />
area will add to the fun features<br />
of the business and will make the<br />
complex even more appealing to<br />
visitors.<br />
“We are really looking forward<br />
to sharing the new AquaPlay<br />
space with all those who visit<br />
this summer.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> first two stages of<br />
AquaPlay have already proven to<br />
be a hit with many of our young<br />
visitors. It’s exciting to now have<br />
this development fully complete<br />
in time for summer, with a range<br />
of child-friendly slides and water<br />
features.”<br />
AquaPlay was due for<br />
completion earlier this year but<br />
its opening was hampered by<br />
Covid-<strong>19</strong>, with the new slide<br />
stuck overseas for months.<br />
Abbot said it was a special<br />
morning hosting the group from<br />
the teen parent unit, which offers<br />
study and childcare support to<br />
young people.<br />
PARTY: Five-year-old Maddison making a splash at the opening.<br />
PHOTO: HANMER SPRINGS THERMAL POOLS AND SPA<br />
“Teen parents are often the<br />
unsung heroes of our society,<br />
making the best of a situation<br />
that is often not of their<br />
choosing. But these mums<br />
are doing a fantastic job so we<br />
wanted to give them a bit of joy –<br />
it’s meant a lot to our team.”<br />
Karanga Mai is one of the<br />
free social and community<br />
services offered by Community<br />
Wellbeing North Canterbury<br />
Trust, which is supported by<br />
Hanmer Springs <strong>The</strong>rmal Pools<br />
and Spa.<br />
Community Wellbeing North<br />
Canterbury Trust manager<br />
Deirdre Ryan said she was<br />
extremely grateful for the<br />
support.<br />
“Inviting our Karanga Mai<br />
Early Learning Centre whānau<br />
along to the opening of the<br />
AquaPlay feels both special,<br />
and a fitting celebration of the<br />
amazing work our young parents<br />
do everyday, caring for their<br />
tamariki.”<br />
Tea and talks in<br />
our secret garden<br />
Join us on Sunday 22 <strong>November</strong> at 1pm to listen to our guest speaker<br />
Alan Jolliffe discuss ‘How Christchurch became the Garden City’<br />
Enjoy tea and scones in Park Lane’s beautiful garden at 35 Whiteleigh Avenue<br />
while you hear about Christchurch’s gardening history. Before or after the talk,<br />
you can see our fresh approach to over-65s living. We have apartments open<br />
to view Saturday and Sunday, no appointment necessary.<br />
Open Home Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 <strong>November</strong>, 11am-3pm<br />
Need more info? Call Tara 021 489 784 or visit parklaneretirement.co.nz<br />
An Arvida Living Well Community
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