FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTING
MAKINO AQUATIC CENTRE By Natasha Napier I’ve lived in Palmerston North now for over ten years and in all that time, I’d never actually been to Makino Aquatic Centre in Feilding. Not entirely sure why, it was just never on my radar. So when the opportunity came up to take baby (8 months old), with a friend of mine and her delicious wee munchkin too, how could I say no? We arrived at Makino under Covid Level 2 restrictions, walked up and found out there’s a booking system. Makes sense when you think about it. Unfortunately, we didn’t think about this fact and there wasn’t another slot available for a few hours. So, we booked in, went back home for a cuppa and a gas bag and returned at our allotted time. Note to self: I should really check public place’s Covid restrictions before physically going there We were booked into the Learn to Swim pool, which was divided into two halves (one per booked party). It made the experience a lot nicer as the two babies were able to have some space and not get overwhelmed. They slowly got used to the water, sought out water toys and were looking over at the other half where big kids were playing and splashing around. Our main objective was to just let them float, getting used to the idea of “the giant bath” all the while feeling secure knowing we were holding them.
Photos sourced from Makino Aquatic Centre FB page 28 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
We incorporated gentle splashing, showed them how to blow bubbles, and took them on mumassisted drag races across the pool. Hey, mum’s need to have fun too, right? Amazingly, we managed to get a full half an hour out of the babies before they started to suggest it was time to leave.
The changing facilities are great however the main changing areas are definitely better than the small ones by the Learn to Swim pool. One nice addition in the main female changing area is a cubicle with a baby changing station. Such a simple thing but allows us new mums to change baby and then get dressed ourselves safely away from public view. There ain’t nobody deserving of seeing my postpartum bod! We also noticed in the family changing areas some great facilities for people who need full body mobility assistance, which was in both family changing rooms, not just one. It was great to see that inclusivity. It may have been the Covid restrictions, I’m not sure, but Makino did seem a smidgen bare. At any rate, it was well worth the trip, especially at $9.60 for the four of us. 7/10 will visit again.
