Help save our splash pool, urge Warwick parents

The children’s pool at St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre will be lost when major upgrades begin later this year in a decision announced by Warwick District Council in January.

The pool, which has been described as “not fit for purpose” by council officers, will be lost to create a viewing area and parent space when work starts later this year.

But parents say the changes should not mean loss of important amenities for young children and families.

David Sternberg, who is behind the campaign, said he simply wants the council to consider other possibilities as part of the major upgrades.

The father, who takes his three-year-old son to the pool, said: “The thing is a lot of the parents there had no idea that the splash pool would be lost.

“A lot of people are very concerned. It is not a great pool and we see that, but this is a golden opportunity to bring it up to date, not just get rid of it completely.

“This is not only a place for children to play and get used to the water, but for families to meet and have that support. It just does not seem that this loss is justified when all these upgrades are happening to improve the whole site.”

The father said 90 people signed a petition in the town centre in just one hour, and an online call for support so far has 103 signatures.

The £3m of upgrades will treble the size of the gym, create new changing rooms and extend the sports site - with a viewing platform to be built in place of the small pool.

A council spokesperson said: “The splash pool was part of the design when the pool was built in 1983 and is no longer considered fit for purpose.

“The space will be better used for new changing facilities that will benefit families, and allow the creation of a viewing gallery for the pool.

“There will still be a toddler pool available at Newbold Comyn for families.”

Extension work is expected to start this summer and is due for completion by the end of 2017.

Both swimming pools will be closed for some of this time.

The online petition is available here.