Swimming at the CCC pools

Swimming - perfect for those hot sunny days when you just need to cool off, but also great for those cold winter days when the thought of a hot spa and sauna makes your toes tingle with anticipation.

Christchurch has plenty of great pools, but I'm only going to write about the ones I go to regularly - QE2, Centennial and Pioneer.

My favourite is DEFINITELY QE2. It is amazing value for money!

There's the 50m lap pool. The diving pool. The preschooler's pool. And then there's the main leisure pool, complete with Pirate Ship (with nice little water slides perfect for the little kids), lazy river (with crazy whirlpools), and REAL LIVE WAVES every half hour or so (my kids' eyes nearly popped out of their heads when the waves first started on our first visit - they'd never had so much fun!).

And then there's the spa pools, the sauna and the steam room. Mmmmmm.

Oh, and did I mention the hydroslides? These have a minimum age limit (not entirely sure what it is) and you have to pay extra, but from what my nieces and nephews say, they're well worth the cost. (I haven't yet had the chance to experience the hydroslides, but that's because my kids are too young to leave them unattended!).

Anyway, so QE2. Crazily good value. Myself, my 5 year old and my 4 year old get in for $5. Yes, you heard me right. $5 for ALL THREE OF US.

Of course, if I were to go all by myself it'd cost about $5 as well. But then at least I'd get to actually go into the lap pool, do a few laps, then chill out in the spa, sauna and steam rooms without having to keep eagle eyes on my two little ones.

The only con I can think of with QE2 is the location - WAY out in deepest darkest... ummmm, what is it? Burwood? North Brighton? Queenspark? One of those Northern suburbs anyway.


So, if you're stuck in town, without transport, then head to the Centennial!

It's right in the central city, and it also has a kid's pool (with lazy river), a lap pool, a spa, a sauna and a steam room. Again, such good value and only five minutes walk from Cathedral Square.

The only "con" with the Centennial is that, being in the central city, you have to pay for parking.


And if you're out in the southern suburbs? Then the Pioneer's the place for you. The facilities are pretty much the same as the Centennial, but the parking is FREE (as is QE2, in case you hadn't realised).



There are heaps more pools in Christchurch, including some outdoor ones, but these are the ones we like to go to.

As I have both a boy and a girl, another bonus is the family changing rooms in these places. My 5 year old son is telling me that NO WAY is he going to be getting buck naked in the GIRLS' changing rooms anymore (fair enough), and NO WAY am I letting him go to the BOYS' changing rooms all by himself. So these wee private family changing rooms (complete with private shower) are a godsend. All the CCC pools have them.

Oh, and if you're that way inclined, these pools all have gyms associated with them and they do awesome packages that include unlimited pool and gym use. Great value!


THE LOWDOWN:

Cost:
Adults $5, Child $2.50, Parent with preschooler $2.50 (so it's cheaper for you to go with your little one than to go by yourself!). There are plenty of other prices so check the website for info.

Hours:
Generally between 7am and 8pm.

Location:
Check the website!

Suitable for:
EVERYONE!

Allow:
A couple of hours - or at least until your fingers and toes have gone pruney.


My rating: 9 out of 10