Pool closure leaves Rotherham high and dry

Rotherham Borough Council hopes part of the one-acre paddling pool — opened in 2009 to replace the 70-year-old paddling pool — will be up and running during the school holidays.

But families have been frustrated during the recent hot spell, which included two bank holidays.

Shahid Shabbir was disappointed to find the water park closed when he arrived with three-year-old son Razeen.

She said: “We’ve often come before and we were hoping it might be open today, but unfortunately not.

“That’s the main reason we brought him today, so he’s not too happy about it.

“You would think with the holidays coming up it would be important to have it fixed for the children.”

A council report revealed that parts of Water Splash’s infrastructure and water treatment facilities needed modification.

Cllr Amy Rushforth, Cabinet member for culture and tourism, approved the repairs contract last Tuesday.

She said: “Obviously, we are very disappointed and frustrated that the water park is not fully operational this summer because we appreciate how popular it is when the weather is good.

“But we had to get to the bottom of the problems on the site and the sooner we can get the work started the better it will be in the long term.

“However, these are highly complex systems, and if work can be carried out as soon as possible, sections of the site will be up and running, and then hopefully any further work can be undertaken during the winter period allowing for the whole system to be operational by next summer.”

A spokeswoman added: “Contractors are set to start work as soon as possible in the hope that the feature can partially re-open during the summer holidays.”