All aboard

Children are now able to play on a sailing ship behind the Remarkables Park shopping centre - although surrounded by green grass rather than a deep blue sea.

The second Zig Zag Zoo early child-care centre for Queenstown and Frankton opened last week at Remarkables Park, welcoming many visitors.

Pictured are children and staff on the day after opening on part of the centre's outdoor play area.

Construction of the spacious centre began late last year and work on apartments for Southern Institute of Technology students, next to the child-care centre, is under way.

Zig Zag Zoo manager Fran MacNamara said the centre was licensed for up to 75 children. On the opening day, Wednesday,

about 24 children visited, with four of those officially on the roll. Ms MacNamara said some children were moving from the company's other centre in Henry St, Queenstown.