Minister for Sport and Recreation, Karl Hampton, today named the winners of the 'Name the slide, be first to ride' competition, which tasked Territory school children to name the three different coloured lanes on the 100 meter long water slide at the new Palmerston Water Park.

Winning entrant to name the Yellow coloured Slide: Bethany Kelly – Sun Surfer

Winning entrant to name the Lime coloured Slide: Winner: Luke McLaughlin – The Lime Time

Winning entrant to name the Green coloured Slide: Jessica Klaube - Green Machine

"Bethany, Luke and Jessica each get to select a friend to race down the six-lane racer waterslide, as the first of the public to ride the slide when the Palmerston Water Park gates opens for the first time at 10am on Saturday 23 June," Mr Hampton said.

"Palmerston is one of Australia's fastest growing cities and is becoming the city of choice for Territory families, and the Palmerston Water Park was an election commitment made in 2008 to create more fun recreation areas for families in the Palmerston and rural area," Mr Hampton said.

The scope of work for the Palmerston Water Park includes:

• A six-line multi-lane racer water slide with 14 metre high slides, 100 metres long
• A play pad for families and toddlers featuring sprays, water curtains and a shallow wading pool
• A splash pad featuring more active water cannons, buckets and high intensity interactive play
• A cafe
• Offices for lifeguards
• Toilets and change rooms
• Car park catering for 217 cars, 2 bus coaches, bicycles and a drop-off area
• Open grassed play area with BBQs
• Extensions and upgrades to existing skate park
• Shaded areas

"The Palmerston Water Park is sure to be a great attraction providing free recreational fun for Territory families in one of Australia's fastest growing cities, Palmerston; as well as catering to the expanding population in the surrounding rural areas," Mr Hampton said.

A Family Fun Day is planned for Saturday 23 June 2012 to celebrate the opening of the Palmerston Water Park with activities and entertainment for families taking place. The Palmerston Water Park will be managed by the YMCA on behalf of the Northern Territory Government.