'Complex' paddling pool repairs delay reopening

Work to reopen a paddling pool at a park in Derby has been "much more complex than anticipated", according to the city council.

The popular feature at Markeaton Park began to deteriorate at the end of 2023 and was closed to allow for "essential" resurfacing work and repairs.

But the project was hampered by wet weather and the pool, which traditionally is up and running for children each May, was shut for the entire 2024 season.

Derby City Council said contractors were set to return to the pool this week and hoped the pool would be open "later this spring".

Parents and grandparents at the Mundy Play Area this week said warmer months arriving without the pool would be "disappointing".

Among them was Paula Smith, of Derby, who used to bring her children to the pool.

She said her young granddaughter had not yet had the opportunity to use it due to the closure.

"With the summer months coming up, obviously there's lots of children in the local area that use the park and would love to use the paddling pool," the 58-year-old added.

Father of two Lee Mitchell, 39, of Mickleover in Derby, hopes the pool will be open for the summer holidays.

He said: "As long as it's open for the end of the school year, for July and August would be ideal - if it's not open for then, that'd be really disappointing."

Carol Peczek, 65, from Stone in Staffordshire, often brings her three-year-old grandson from Derby to the park.

She said: "We haven't used the paddling pool yet as he was too young. We'll use it once it is open."

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, cabinet member for leisure, said the pool was "much-loved" and the council was "sorry" it was not in use last year.

He said: "The essential resurfacing work has been a much more complex task than anticipated.

"Unforeseen issues with the application of the new surface, complicated by the age of the pool, plus last summer's extremely difficult weather conditions, caused unavoidable delays.

"Our priority has to be the safety of our visitors and we need to ensure the pool is safe and functional.

"We're aiming to reopen the pool later this spring."

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