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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
NZ's first aquatic sensory experience almost finished
Many of the features for New Zealand's first aquatic sensory experience are taking shape in Christchurch. The Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre will include the unique multi-sensory aquatic environment, specifically designed to be explored and played by people with sensory or disability needs. The centre, off Saint Asaph St, is almost completed and construction is on track to be finished by October. Among the features of the centre's aquatic sensory experience is a 'how things work' wall, allowing visitors to control the flow of water through elements such as toilet cisterns and water pumps. A tactile, Canterbury-themed wall, paying homage to the region's natural environment, is also included, alongside bubble columns and interactive water features. The unique creations are being meticulously crafted by Christchurch-based firm, Development Engineering. The Aquatic Sensory Experience will have eight water features including fountains, misting spray, and jets activated by sensors and switches. Photo: Christchurch City Council Director Graham Christie said creating the one-of-a-kind equipment is challenging but rewarding. "I design these bespoke features, then comes the even harder job of working out how to actually make them. "There's no manual on how to cleanly cut the front off a porcelain sink. "I've exported this type of interactive equipment all over the world and have no doubt that what will be on offer at the aquatic sensory experience at Parakiore will make it a truly unique attraction." Parakiore is being built by Crown Infrastructure Delivery Limited and will be owned and operated by Christchurch City Council. CID project director Alistair Young said an aquatic sensory experience like this is rare globally. "While we are creating New Zealand's largest indoor sports and aquatics facility, our goal is to provide access for as many people as possible. "The aquatic sensory experience, along with features like the MOVE circo arts studio and dry diving space, plays a crucial role in achieving this." Sinks are being sliced, custom-made hand pumps are being cast, and bubbling tubes are being illuminated for New Zealand's first Aquatic Sensory Experience in Christchurch. Photo: Christchurch City Council Christchurch City Council head of recreation, sport and events Nigel Cox highlights the success of the Southern Centre: Multi-Sensory Experience at Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre, which serves as a foundation for the new initiative. "Our aspiration is for visitors to have such a positive experience with the aquatic sensory experience's water features that they gain newfound confidence to explore the diverse water play equipment and pools throughout Parakiore." Aquatic Sensory Experience features
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Stouffville Public Works Open House Returns After More Than a Decade
● Stouffville's Public Works Open House takes place Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5061 Bethesda Side Rd. ● The event features a 'Touch-a-Truck' experience, games, ice cream, hands-on activities, and a colouring contest. ● Visitors will meet the people behind the roads, water, and infrastructure projects that keep the Town functioning. ● The open house concludes the Town's celebration of Public Works Week, which showcased the division's wide-ranging contributions to residents' everyday life. ● Stouffville's Engineering and Public Works Division includes Development Engineering, Capital Projects, Transportation and Fleet Services, and Environmental Services. Residents are invited to get an inside look at the people, equipment, and services that keep Stouffville running during the Town's Public Works Open House on Saturday, May 24. The event, held at the Operations Centre at 5061 Bethesda Side Rd., runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., marking the first time in over ten years that Stouffville has opened its doors to the public in this way. The family-friendly event features a 'Touch-a-Truck' experience where visitors can explore Public Works vehicles up close. Ice cream, games, and hands-on activities are planned, along with a colouring contest offering young artists the chance to be featured on the Town's social media channels. Beyond the fun, the open house will provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at how Public Works supports daily life in Stouffville. The event concludes the Town's recognition of Public Works Week, which featured a weeklong spotlight on each department within the Engineering and Public Works Division. Together, these teams manage road maintenance, infrastructure development, water and waste systems, and the planning and delivery of capital projects. Development Engineering oversees all engineering aspects of master planning, land development, and infrastructure projects. The team reviews submissions and development applications and inspects construction sites to ensure compliance with Town standards and alignment with Regional and Provincial policies. The Capital Projects team manages the full lifecycle of major infrastructure, from environmental assessments and public consultations to design, construction, and final delivery. Their work includes building roads, watermains, and pathways. Focusing on long-term sustainability and growth, the department conducts technical studies and community engagement to ensure projects meet resident needs. Each new build or upgrade follows detailed investigations and regulatory compliance. Responsible for maintaining 544 kilometres of roads and 136 kilometres of sidewalks, the Transportation and Fleet Services Department keeps Stouffville's streets safe and navigable year-round. The team conducts regular inspections and repairs, including pothole patching, crack sealing, and sidewalk replacement. A specialized fleet of 39 vehicles supports winter plowing and salting, stormwater management, street sweeping, and roadside maintenance such as signage repair and ditch mowing. The department also handles right-of-way management, issuing permits and regulating development and utility work in the public realm. Environmental Services manages the infrastructure delivering safe drinking water to homes and businesses in Stouffville, including systems serving Ballantrae, Musselman's Lake, and remote Town facilities such as Bethesda Sports Fields. While York Region treats and distributes the water to lower-tier municipalities, Stouffville ensures it reaches taps safely. This includes maintaining watermains, sampling stations, and more than 1,500 fire hydrants. In 2024 alone, over 6,000 water samples were tested for chlorine levels, bacteria, and metals to ensure compliance with Provincial safety standards. The department also coordinates garbage, recycling, organics, and yard waste collection. Its diversion programs, which include electronics drop-offs, curbside giveaway days, and battery and textile collection, contributed to diverting over 100 tonnes of waste from landfills in 2024. 'Our Public Works teams go above and beyond to ensure our community remains safe, clean, and connected,' Mayor Iain Lovatt said in a press release last week. 'Their behind-the-scenes work is vital to our residents' everyday lives, and this week, we proudly recognize their efforts, dedication, and professionalism. Thank you to each team member for helping to build and maintain the town we're all proud to call home.' Saturday's event is an opportunity to not just meet some of those individuals, but to gain a better understanding of the services that keep the town running smoothly—crucial work often done quietly and without fanfare.
