They are three months late and $300k over budget. 

But that won't matter a jot to swimmers young and old when they finally get to shoot down Invercargill's new $3.2 million water slides next week.

The three new 'hydroslides' will be officially opened by mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt and a special guest on Monday, April 19.

And, those in the know say they are a big step up on the popular old 'hydroslide', which will be decommissioned and removed. 

All three are individually longer than the old one. 

There are two body slides, measuring 69 metres and 79 metres and coloured green and blue, and a 101m raft slide, coloured red and yellow. It features a large sphere section, which raft riders shoot into.  

Stephen Cook, Invercargill City Council's (ICC) manager of aquatic services, says: "Each slide has something unique to offer with transparent sections, light effects, speed and a big sphere that you slide into on a raft. 

"There is a minimum rider height limit and we recommend everyone checks our website for additional information before coming down to avoid any disappointment."

You must be at least 120cm tall to ride the new slides, and lighter than 120kgs. 

The three new slides were manufactured in Turkey and have been erected at Splash Palace over the past few months, following the completion of foundations earlier this year. 

They needed 230 cubic metres of concrete and 40 tonnes of reinforcing steel to hold the weight of the slides and swimmers. 

That accounted for some of the extra budget, which is covered by lower interest rates anyway, while the delay is due to Covid-19. 

The sphere is maneuvered into position. Photo: Supplied / ICC

The old hydroslide is one of Splash Palace’s most popular facilities, but it is now 34 years old. It was originally installed at Coldstream Pool in Queens Park in November, 1987. 

Then when Splash Palace facility opened in 1997, sections of the slide were moved to the new-site to form the slide in its current form.

The new hydroslides will be open 10am-6pm every day during the school holidays. 

During the school term, they're open from 4pm-7pm (Monday-Thursday), 4pm-9pm (Fridays) and then 10am-6pm in the weekends.

Cook expects the slides to be very busy for the first few weeks, especially as prices will be reduced by 60%. There will, however, be a two-hour time limit on passes. 

During the school holidays it will cost $7.50 for a child/student/senior, and $9.10 for an adult for a Swim & Slide Pass; providing all day pool-access and a 2-hour hydroslide pass. 

It costs just $2.60 for an additional 2-hour hydroslide pass.

The launch special will end May 17.