Parakiore Recreation and Sports Centre, on St Asaph Street in the Christchurch CBD, is known on its website as Taiora QEII. It is a new centre with pools, a steam room, a sauna, a hydroslide, inflatable obstacle course sessions, a gym, and group fitness and aqua classes. The website also lists Reformer Pilates, learn to swim lessons, sensory swimming, under-5s sessions, and hire of lanes, courts and meeting rooms. Birthday party packages are offered, and pre-schoolers and their caregivers swim free, the website says.
Customers mention the pool most often, along with the changing rooms, saunas and steam room. They praise the hot and cold pools, the deep and shallow pools, the slides and the play area. Staff at the membership and front desks are described as quick and helpful, and one visitor said a staff member helped them choose the right membership and classes. One customer said the people who work there really care, and another said there are two hours of free car parking. Our pick in the CBD for a family swim with a play area.