Families have a splashing time at the pool party

IT'S COOL: Lisa Seator, treasurer of the Eketahuna swimming pool committee, keeps an eye on young swimmers at the Eketahuna pool party on Tuesday. The free party was held to commemorate the anniversary of the January 20 Eketahuna earthquake. The pool was damaged in the quake but has now been repaired.

Eketahuna's free pool party has proved such a hit with residents that organisers are hoping to make it a yearly event.

The party marked the anniversary of last year's magnitude 6.2 earthquake, which forced the pool to close.

Tararua District Council has since repaired the pool and it was reopened on Boxing Day.

President of the pool committee Ryan Seator said the event, which attracted about 80 young swimmers and their parents, was a great success.

"Everyone loved it, it was a great day and they want more of them." He hoped to organise another fun free day for the district every year from now on, Mr Seator said.

Families enjoyed a free barbecue organised by the skate park committee, while children played on the large inflatable slide, on loan from the Martinborough Community Board.

Four lifeguards were on hand to supervise. They had also tested out the slide and could attest to its "safety", he said.

The slide was a "real hit" with the youngsters, Mr Seator said.

"It definitely got well used. We are looking into funding and going for some grants to try and purchase our own."