Repair work on paddling pools to go ahead

Work is set to begin to repair children's paddling pools in parks in Warwick and Leamington.

The pools at St Nicholas Park and Victoria Park were closed in 2024 due to them being at the "end of their operational life", with repair work delayed ever since.

But Warwick District Council said on Friday that it had reached an agreement with contractors to resolve the final programme of work.

The authority said it was committed to the safe reopening of both paddling pools, with work to begin next week.

A spokesperson said: "This resolution comes after an extended period of delays and challenges including adequate contractor technical assurance, poor weather and sub-contractors' availability, preventing progress of the rectification programme."

The Victoria Park pool facility opened briefly last summer after a refurb, but was swiftly shut again after a fortnight due to "technical issues".

Councillor Will Roberts said he understood residents' frustration about the pools not opening sooner.

He said: "What would not be acceptable is agreeing a rectification programme that was not fit for purpose and then needing to close the paddling pools again.

"The council has followed a thorough contractual process, which will now see the paddling pools completed to the safety standards and durability we expect."

Each stage of the work would require a technical inspection and some of the work was dependant on the weather, said Roberts.

He estimated both pools would reopen during the school summer holidays.

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