Paddling pools 'on track to reopen' for summer

Outdoor paddling pools in Warwickshire are on track to reopen within weeks after delays of more than a year.

Warwick District Council's facilities in St Nicholas Park, Warwick, and Victoria Park, Leamington Spa, were shut for repairs in 2024 and due to reopen in May 2025.

Problems with the upgrade meant the July reopening at Victoria Park was short-lived with the Warwick facility also mothballed until this year.

This year's brighter weather arrived before a resolution, but the council finalised negotiations with the contractor to iron out the problems with the aim of reopening in the school summer holidays.

Green councillor Will Roberts provided an update at this week's council meeting, reporting that both sites had reached the key milestone of passing moisture tests, which enabled wash sealing of resin on the pools on Thursday.

"The wetpour areas that failed are now being removed and holes used for the concrete moisture testing are now being filled in so the wetpour work can take place," he said.

"The glass reinforced plastic [wetpour material] can't be laid on damp concrete and the initial moisture test failure at Victoria Park caused a slight delay, which might mean Victoria Park opens slightly after St Nic's.

"Final works to the plantrooms are also scheduled to happen within the next couple of weeks."

Roberts said the exact opening dates would be announced in the next couple of weeks.

He added that the council was on course to have the first paddling pool open towards the end of month, with Victoria Park following very shortly afterwards.

"Of course there is the caveat that weather can still cause a delay to the opening," Roberts warned.

"Rest assured that the project team is as keen to get the pools open as everyone else."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.