Brio’s Big Draw – A Summer Whale Spent!

Brio launched ‘Brio’s Big Draw’ competition over the summer months to celebrate creativity and raise awareness around safety in and outside the pool.

While Brio Northgate is partially open, undergoing a much-anticipated refurbishment, the pool is temporarily closed until Spring 2026. With that said, the Brio team have been keeping the community engaged and inspired, launching Brio’s Big Draw this summer to celebrate creativity and raise awareness around water safety in and outside the pool.

Children across Chester and Christleton were invited to design what they’d love to see when the pool reopens again in 2026. The fun, free activity sheet included key water safety and drowning prevention tips to help families and young people learn how to stay safe around water.

To add a splash of motivation, Brio offered prizes for three winning entries. This included five free family swims and some exclusive whale-themed goodies inspired by Brio Northgate’s infamous, much-loved whale.

With their leisure centres at the heart of our borough, close to local canals and rivers, Brio are passionate about promoting water safety and ensuring the community has the knowledge and confidence to enjoy water safely, both in and outside of their pools.

Over 15 local schools took part in the big draw, and the team set up drawing stations at summer fetes across the area, including Christleton, Waverton and Huntington, as well as in the pool-viewing area at Brio Christleton, where junior members eagerly joined in. The response was huge, with over 1,000 entries submitted.

The tricky job of picking the winners fell to the Water Safety Team at the Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, who had their work cut out for them, narrowing down the entries to choose the three winners.

Zach, Crew Manager at Chester Fire and Rescue Service, said:

‘Picking three winners from all the fantastic artwork we received was a tricky process, all the firefighters were involved, each discussing the merits of their favourite pieces! In the end, we decided on a top three, each one unique, colourful, and technically excellent. A wide range of techniques and mediums were displayed, and we all feel strongly that these could be future masterpieces!’

Cheryl, Brio Christleton and Northgate Duty Manager, who helped bring this incentive to life, said:

‘I jumped right in to help with the exciting Brio's Big Draw competition! Once I got the template, I emailed it to all our local primary schools with a tempting prize list. At Brio Christleton, we set up two fun drawing stations in the pool lobby. This was perfect for juniors to unleash their creativity. The drawing station area was always buzzing with energy, laughter, and the kids kept coming back for more. We had a challenge in keeping on top of sharpening the pencils.

Each drawing handed in was placed safely in an ‘in-tray’. We had to move to a bigger one because the first one was overflowing. I also took this competition out to our local community Fetes: Christleton Village Fete – 28th June, Waverton Village Fete – 5th July and Huntington Village Fete -6th September. I set up a mini drawing station within the Brio gazebo; the kids were engaged for hours. They eagerly came back and had a great time. Brio Northgate, you might want to rethink your plans. These kids have some amazing ideas!’

Brio’s big draw brought the community together through creativity, fun, a shared excitement for the return of Brio Northgate’s pool in 2026 and most importantly, the message of water safety. A cause that Brio continues to champion across all its leisure centres.

If you can’t wait for the pool to reopen at Brio Northgate, remember there are five other pools to enjoy at Brio Christleton, Brio Ellesmere Port, Brio Northwich, Brio Winsford and Brio Neston!

For swim sessions and timetables, visit:

http://www.brioleisure.org