Tulloch Park Stage 2 Redevelopment

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Consultation has concluded

Background Information

After extensive consultation with the community, the Mataura pool was closed in 2017 due to falling usage numbers and increased costs. It was important to the Council and the town that a recreation space remained in the area, and so a plan was made to create a new recreational area based on modern recreation needs.

Stage 1 work began in 2018 on a new pump cycle track, updated playground and carpark. These were completed in 2019. We are now ready for stage 2 of the development.

What are the Stage 2 plans?

In the footprint of the soon-to-be-demolished pool, a new splash pad will be installed. Mataura will become the ONLY town south of Christchurch with one!

A splash pad is an area fitted with a non-slip surface and various nozzles and features that can shower, spray, rain, mist, and shoot streams of water. The design team is working to ensure the splash pad will be accessible, interactive and family-friendly - catering to all ages.

But wait - there's more. There are plans to resurface the old basketball court and build new toilets and a changing room. The court will feature Mataura's colours of maroon and gold. It will feature two hoops and be an Olympic Standard-sized court.

Combined with the existing pump track and playground, the new activity areas will make Tulloch Park a must-do attraction for locals and visitors.


A new toilet and changing room block will sit beside a new splash pad. The area will be fenced for safety. Layout and types of splash pad equipment have yet to be decided.

Where is the funding coming from?

The projected cost for stage 2 of the redevelopment is around $1.15 million. The project will be almost entirely externally funded. The current confirmed funding includes:

  • $500k from the 3 Waters Better Off Funding scheme
  • $200k from Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF)
  • $70k carryover from Stage 1 budget

Background Information

After extensive consultation with the community, the Mataura pool was closed in 2017 due to falling usage numbers and increased costs. It was important to the Council and the town that a recreation space remained in the area, and so a plan was made to create a new recreational area based on modern recreation needs.

Stage 1 work began in 2018 on a new pump cycle track, updated playground and carpark. These were completed in 2019. We are now ready for stage 2 of the development.

What are the Stage 2 plans?

In the footprint of the soon-to-be-demolished pool, a new splash pad will be installed. Mataura will become the ONLY town south of Christchurch with one!

A splash pad is an area fitted with a non-slip surface and various nozzles and features that can shower, spray, rain, mist, and shoot streams of water. The design team is working to ensure the splash pad will be accessible, interactive and family-friendly - catering to all ages.

But wait - there's more. There are plans to resurface the old basketball court and build new toilets and a changing room. The court will feature Mataura's colours of maroon and gold. It will feature two hoops and be an Olympic Standard-sized court.

Combined with the existing pump track and playground, the new activity areas will make Tulloch Park a must-do attraction for locals and visitors.


A new toilet and changing room block will sit beside a new splash pad. The area will be fenced for safety. Layout and types of splash pad equipment have yet to be decided.

Where is the funding coming from?

The projected cost for stage 2 of the redevelopment is around $1.15 million. The project will be almost entirely externally funded. The current confirmed funding includes:

  • $500k from the 3 Waters Better Off Funding scheme
  • $200k from Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF)
  • $70k carryover from Stage 1 budget
Consultation has concluded

  • Mataura Marks New Era of Play with Splash Pad Opening

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    It’s time to make a splash in Mataura as Stage Two of the Tulloch Park redevelopment is celebrated at a grand opening on Saturday 5 April.

    A state-of-the-art Splash Pad and Exeloo toilets have been added to site, joining the full-sized basketball courts and pump track installed last year as part of Stage One.

    The Gore District Council Parks and Recreation Manager Keith McRobie said the Splash Pad and accompanying toilets make an exciting addition to the redevelopment.

    The splash pad is an area fitted with a non-slip surface and various nozzles and features that can shower, spray, rain, mist, and shoot streams of water.

    Sometimes called a zero-depth pool, the play space includes a shower dome, water arc, splash buckets, a water helix and rocket streams, all designed for safe, inclusive, watery fun, he said.

    “The Splash Pad is a safe and fun way of enjoying water for all-ages,” McRobie said.

    Water from the play area would be recycled and treated on-site, making water-usage sustainable.

    With the addition of new fencing along the main road families will be able to enjoy the space without worrying about children wandering off, he said.

    The Splash Pad and accompanying toilets have been built in Matuara following the closure of the swimming pool in 2017. Funding from Better off Funding scheme, the Tourism Infrastructure Fund and the Lotteries Community Facilities Fund have paved the way for a “gold -standard” water play area, he said.

    “We’ve been extremely fortunate with the support this project has received from outside agencies. What we’re getting is Rolls Royce. The Splash Pad is gold standard, the toilets are gold standard and the basketball courts are gold standard.”

    “The Mataura Community Board have been working on this for almost a decade and we’re pleased that everyone’s hard work has paid off.”

    The Splash Pad would be opened on Saturday 5 April with a family fun day from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

    A barbecue and activity trailers from Active Southland and the YMCA would be on-site, along with the Eastern Southland Basketball Tournament taking place on the courts.

  • Court Resurfacing Completed

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    The resurfacing of the courts at Tulloch Park is now complete