Summer for Kaikoura and Waiau will be a little cooler thanks to the donation of swimming pools for both of the quake-hit towns.
The community's pools were badly damaged in the November earthquake and with no swimming allowed along the coastline of Kaikoura, locals were facing a long, hot summer.
It's been a team effort by several parties which have rallied together to source replacements. The PoolsiNSchoolZ group found two 10 metre by 5.4 metre swimming pools which are being transported on trucks from the North Island free of charge.
"Being able to help get these pools made available to those communities affected by the quakes is a fantastic way to support our young people to re-engage with sport activities over summer," said Tony Thomas, general manager of community sport for Sport Tasman.
"They're very excited, there's been a lot of buzz arond town by the sounds of it," said Mr Thomas."It's about getting life, at least a little bit, back to normal in Kaikoura and giving them a safe environment where they can enjoy some aqautic activites."
Waiau's school pool doubled as its community swimming spot, but had to be ripped up after it was damaged in the earthquake.
A Givealittle page was started by Waiau's school caretaker to help raise funds for a permanent replacement pool. It has raised more than $63,000 towards its $500,000 goal.
Hurunui District Councillor Julia McLean said with fewer recreational activities on offer and all that the earthquake aftermath brings, hopefully having a pool back in Waiau will help to ease stress levels by giving families and children a place to unwind and have fun.
Kaikoura's temporary pool is likely to arrive next week and the Waiau pool should be on site the following week, with both hopefully up and running before Christmas.
The pools will be in place for at least the first term of next year, until a permanent fix is found.
Newshub.
