Paddling pools in Leamington and Warwick should be ready for school summer holidays, says council
Warwick District Council says both paddling pools in Leamington and Warwick should be ready for the school summer holidays, after reaching an agreement with the contractors.
Having been closed in 2024, both pools at St Nicholas Park and Victoria Park were due to re-open in May 2025 but the projects were delayed.
Last month, the council announced the paddling pools would remain closed "pending completion of the defect repair programme” and cited “unavoidable delays and ongoing challenges” which included weather conditions and “the availability of some sub-contractors”.
However, today (Thursday June 11) it says work will start next week after it "resolved the final programme of work...with an agreement with its design and build contractor".
No date has been set for the reopenings of the pools but the council said it hopes to have then open "during the school holidays".
A spokesperson for Warwick District Council said: "Residents will see the rectification work begin in next week, with the contractor responsible for the cost of the works needed.
"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."
Cllr Will Roberts, portfolio holder for neighbourhood, said: “I am pleased to bring this good news to our residents and visitors, who have been waiting for to hear about the reopening of the paddling pools. 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.
“I completely understand the frustration from residents and have been extremely frustrated myself that we haven’t been able to open the paddling pools sooner.”
"The council has followed a thorough contractual process, which will now see the paddling pools completed to the safety standards and durability we expect.
“As before, each stage of the work will require a technical inspection which will be carried out by our new clerk of works and some work is still weather dependent, but I am determined to see both paddling pools open during the school holidays for children to enjoy. I will keep sharing regular progress updates.”