Every year in early December hundreds of Raumanga families flocked to a former school swimming pool.
They put their picnic blankets on the bank, fired up the free barbecue and relaxed knowing the fully trained lifeguards would keep things safe in the water.
But not this year, as the Ministry of Education moves to demolish the pool while it readies part of the former Raumanga Primary site for sale.
The land surrounding the pool was until recently occupied by youth and family services hub The Pulse.
Briarley Birch, The Pulse's community co-ordinator, has overseen the summer fun for 11 years and said the pool was the only option for some local families, who may not have transport or be able to afford a trip to the beach.