The future of the popular Splashpad in Worcester’s Gheluvelt Park is set to be considered by City Councillors next month.
The Splashpad water play area attracts thousands of children and parents every summer, but persistent maintenance problems meant it was out of action for more than 14 days this year.
Worcester City Council has now carried out a condition survey of the facility. A report to its Place and Economic Development Committee says the survey established that the attraction’s water filtration system has reached the end of its life.
When it meets on 4 November, the committee will be asked to agree to a £366,000 investment to replace the worn-out equipment and get the Splashpad open in time for summer 2025.
Councillor Robyn Norfolk, Chair of the committee, said: “The Splashpad is hugely popular, and this was shown by the many positive responses we received about it earlier this year when we carried out a public consultation on the Worcester Play Plan.
“However, it has had to be closed for maintenance far too many times in recent years, especially this summer, and we absolutely understand the frustration that has created for parents and children.
“The recent condition survey has shown us exactly what the problems with it are and the actions we need to take to ensure that the Splashpad can be a popular and reliable place to play and enjoy the sunshine next summer.”
The Splashpad uses a recirculation system, with the water sprayed onto the play area draining into an underground storage tank, from where it is filtered and disinfected before being returned to the surface and sprayed again.
The committee report asks councillors to agree to proposed repairs to this water filtration system, and also to the safety surface on the Splashpad play area.
If the Place and Economic Development Committee backs the repairs, the matter will then go to the Policy and Resources Committee on 19 November, which will be asked to approve the funding.
